First Report of Biventricular Percutaneous Impella Ventricular Assist Device Use in Pediatric Patients

There is a growing interest in the use of percutaneously delivered ventricular assist devices (PVAD) in the pediatric patient population. A 16 year old female and 18 year old male both status post heart transplantation presented with evidence of graft rejection and acute severe global systolic and diastolic heart failure necessitating hemodynamic catheterization and inotropic support. Both underwent percutaneous Impella CP LVAD (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) placement with close monitoring of right ventricular function. Although pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) improved, persistently elevated central venous pressures (CVP) and ongoing renal and liver injury prompted insertion of Impella RP RVAD. Explantation of bilateral devices was achieved within 4 days in the 18 year old patient. He would go on to require total artificial heart support before successful retransplantation. Despite bilateral PVAD support and antirejection medications, our 16 year old patient went on to develop multisystem organ failure and ultimately passed away after withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies. We report the first description of biventricular percutaneous Impella VAD for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure in a pediatric institution. This innovative VAD option for older children/adolescents represents a less-invasive advancement in mechanical support technology with potential applicability across the pediatric population.