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Emergent Interhospital Transport of Pediatric Patient With a Berlin Heart Device
James H Hertzog1, Thomas E Pearson2, Marc A Priest3
1Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE; Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Insights
Pediatric mechanical circulatory support is increasing. This case report details an emergent interfacility transport of a child with a Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device, highlighting the need for such procedures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- Mechanical circulatory support using ventricular assist devices (VADs) is increasingly utilized in pediatric patients with cardiac failure.
- These young patients often present with complex comorbidities and prolonged hospitalizations.
- The growing population of VAD-supported children necessitates planning for interfacility transfers for specialized care.
Observation:
- Limited data exists on interfacility transport for pediatric VAD patients, with only three reported elective transfers.
- This report describes an emergent interfacility transport of a pediatric patient with a Berlin Heart EXCOR left ventricular assist device.
- The transport was conducted between two affiliated institutions.
Findings:
- The emergent transport of a pediatric patient with a Berlin Heart EXCOR VAD was successfully managed.
- This case underscores the potential need for emergent interfacility transport in this vulnerable patient population.
- The experience highlights logistical and clinical considerations for such transfers.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers must be prepared for emergent interfacility transports of pediatric VAD patients.
- Standardized protocols may be beneficial for managing these complex transfers.
- Further research is needed to establish best practices for interfacility transport of pediatric mechanical circulatory support patients.
Abstract:
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) for the mechanical support of cardiac failure are being used more frequently in children of increasingly younger age. These children have significant and multiple medical comorbidities, and their length of hospital stay has been increasing. As this population of hospitalized VAD-supported children increases, so does the possibility of their need for interfacility transport for specialized diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Reports on such transports are limited to 3 children who underwent scheduled elective transfers. We report our experience with a child with a Berlin Heart EXCOR left ventricular assist device (Berlin Heart, Berlin, Germany) who required emergent interfacility transport between our hospital and an affiliated institution.
