Gaps in Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Technology: A Survey Assessment

As a follow-up to the device needs survey conducted and published in 2015, an updated survey was repeated in 2024 to evaluate gaps in device and equipment availability for pediatric congenital interventional cardiologists. Over 200 US pediatric interventional cardiologists were contacted directly via email. The Congenital Cardiovascular Interventional Study Consortium (CCISC) and the Pediatric and Congenital Interventional Cardiovascular Society (PICS) distributed the survey to its membership in the United States (US). Respondents cited a need for new devices which differed significantly from the 2015 survey. "Biodegradable Stents" (37%), "PDA Stents" (patent ductus arteriosus, 21%), and "Pulmonary Artery Flow Restrictors" (21%) were ranked as the top three most needed devices. Devices that were suspected to offer the greatest potential reduction in mortality were "Flow Restrictors" (30%), "PDA Stents" (18%), and "Biodegradable Stents" (6%). The respondents also prioritized the needs for devices not available in the US or removed from the market. With many startups and larger companies interested in the congenital interventional space, the results of this survey are intended to help guide tailored device development for the most pressing needs of the congenital interventional cardiology community.