Ventricular assist device implantation in children with a mechanical valve: An ACTION registry analysis

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) frequently have had valve interventions, including replacement with a mechanical valve (mechV). The impact of a mechV on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation is not well characterized.

This study assessed VAD outcomes in patients with CHD and a mechV.

All patients with a history of CHD (n = 433) in the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network database were included in the study (January 2012-January 2023). Patient characteristics and outcomes were assessed among patients with a mechV and without a mechV.

Twenty-seven (6%) patients with CHD had a mechV at VAD implantation. Fourteen (52%) of the patients with mechV had univentricular anatomy and 13 (48%) had biventricular anatomy. Patients with mechV were older (4.9 vs 1.9 years, p = 0.02), smaller (14.9 vs 10.6 kg, p = 0.02), and had a higher interagency registry for mechanically assisted circulatory support profile (p = 0.01). Three (11%) patients with mechV experienced a valve-related complication. There was no difference in survival (p = 0.4) or ischemic stroke frequency (11% vs 13%, p = 1) between patients with mechV and non-mechV. Patients with mechV had higher frequency of hemorrhagic stroke (18% vs 4.7%, p = 0.01) and major bleeding (44% vs 26%, p = 0.04).

Patients with CHD with a mechV have similar survival to patients with non-mechV; however, there is higher risk of bleeding including hemorrhagic stroke.