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A Decade of Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support in Colombia, a Middle-Income Country

Javier Castro1, Melina Acevedo1, Angelica Ortiz1

  • 1International Hospital of Colombia, Floridablanca, Colombia.

Pediatric Transplantation
|November 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) use in Colombia shows 81% survival to transplant, despite challenges. Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) improved post-transplant survival compared to biventricular assist devices (BiVAD).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Mechanical Circulatory Support
  • Transplant Surgery

Background:

  • Heart transplantation is limited by organ availability, especially for pediatric patients.
  • Ventricular assist devices (VADs) offer a critical bridge to transplant for pediatric end-stage heart failure.
  • The International Hospital of Colombia has extensive experience with paracorporeal VADs in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the outcomes of pediatric patients receiving VAD support in Colombia.
  • To identify challenges and successes in implementing VAD technology in a middle-income country.
  • To compare outcomes between left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and biventricular assist devices (BiVAD).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 26 pediatric patients who received VAD support between 2012 and 2023.
  • Data collected on patient demographics, VAD type, duration of support, complications, and transplant outcomes.
  • Comparison of survival rates between LVAD and BiVAD support.

Main Results:

  • The majority of patients (77%) had dilated cardiomyopathy, with a median age of 8.5 years.
  • The median duration of VAD support was 50.5 days.
  • Overall survival to VAD support was 81%, with 81% of survivors undergoing successful transplantation.
  • Neurological injury was the most frequent complication (69%).
  • LVAD support was associated with higher post-transplant survival compared to BiVAD.

Conclusions:

  • Despite resource constraints in middle-income countries, significant patient survival can be achieved with VAD support.
  • Targeted improvements in resource allocation and technology access can further enhance outcomes for pediatric VAD patients.
  • VADs are a viable option for pediatric end-stage heart failure, bridging patients to transplantation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Colombiadeveloping countriesdilated cardiomyopathyhealth resourcesheart transplantationneurological manifestationspediatric heart failureretrospective studiessurvival analysisventricular assist device

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