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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
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Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart

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Successful Bridge to Transplant in a Pediatric Patient Using the SynCardia 50 cc Total Artificial Heart

Gary S Beasley1, Kiona Allen2, Elfride Pahl2

  • 1From the Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Division of Pediatric Cardiology Memphis, Tennessee.

ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|February 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric heart transplant wait-list mortality is high. This study details the successful use of the smallest artificial heart device (50 cc SynCardia) in a pediatric patient, supporting them for 278 days before transplant.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Mechanical circulatory support
  • Cardiac surgery

Background:

  • Pediatric heart transplant candidates face high wait-list mortality.
  • Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) improves survival for patients awaiting heart transplantation.
  • Biventricular MCS presents unique challenges in pediatric patients.

Observation:

  • A pediatric patient with a body surface area of 0.9 m² was supported with a 50 cc SynCardia Total Artificial Heart.
  • This represents the smallest patient to date to receive this specific device.
  • The patient was successfully supported for 278 days.

Findings:

  • The 50 cc SynCardia Total Artificial Heart provided effective mechanical circulatory support in a very small pediatric patient.
  • Sustained support was achieved for an extended period (278 days).
  • The patient ultimately underwent a successful heart transplant.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates the feasibility of using the 50 cc SynCardia Total Artificial Heart in extremely small pediatric patients.
  • It offers a potential bridge to transplant for critically ill pediatric heart failure patients.
  • Further research into biventricular MCS in pediatrics is warranted.

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