Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Starting Pediatric VAD Program: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities; A Case Series of a Single Center
Matija Bakoš1, Milivoj Novak2, Dalibor Šarić3
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. mbakos11@gmail.com.
Insights
Establishing a ventricular assist device (VAD) program for pediatric heart failure requires extensive team training and organizational adjustments. Early outcomes show survival in some patients, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary expertise.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of heart failure in pediatric and adult populations.
- Limited treatment options for end-stage pediatric heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy.
- Surgical interventions like heart transplantation and ventricular assist devices (VADs) are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the initial experience with VAD implantation in pediatric patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy.
- To outline the necessary steps for establishing a VAD program, including team training and organizational adjustments.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of the first seven pediatric patients undergoing VAD implantation.
- Primary indication for VAD implantation was end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy.
Main Results:
- Median age at implantation was 4.5 years; median VAD support duration was 39 days.
- Long-term survival was achieved in three patients.
- Causes of mortality included multiorgan failure, thromboembolic events, sepsis, and low cardiac output syndrome. Two patients required neurointervention for ischemic stroke.
Conclusions:
- Successful establishment of a pediatric VAD program necessitates the inclusion of multiple specialties.
- Comprehensive training and continuous learning for all team members are essential for program success.
Background:
The prevalence of heart failure is constantly increasing in both children and adults. End-stage heart failure in children unresponsive to medical therapy has limited treatment options. Surgical options include heart transplantation or implantation of durable ventricular assist devices (VADs). To start the VAD program, it was necessary to train core team members, invite experienced proctors and adjust the organizational approach.
Methods:
We present our first seven pediatric patients who underwent a VAD implantation with primary indication end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy.
Results:
The median age on implant was four and a half years and the median duration of VAD support was 39 days with long term survival achieved in three patients. The causes of death were multiorgan failure, thromboembolic events, sepsis, and low cardiac output syndrome. Ischemic stroke was the reason for successful neurointervention during VAD support in two patients.
Conclusions:
To establish a VAD program, numerous specialties must be included with adequate training and learning for all team members.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:30Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy