Improved outcomes with pulsatile paracorporeal ventricular assist device support in children: A single-center...

The Berlin Heart EXCOR (BHE) remains the only long-term mechanical circulatory support option for small children, yet it carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality, most notably from cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). This study evaluates how the outcomes of children supported with BHE changed with evolving management.

All consecutive patients receiving BHE at our institution from 2009 to 2024 were included.

BHE support was used in 75 patients (median age 1 year). Median support duration was 128 days. Transplantation was achieved in 64% (48/75) of patients. BHE was removed because of recovery in 13.3% (10/75), and 21.3% (16/75) died while on BHE support. Overall survival was 87.7%, 80.9%, and 65.9% at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Survival improved significantly after 2019 (hazard ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.72; P = .02), whereas the risk of death was greater in patients with CVA (hazard ratio, 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-9.47; P = .05). A total of 36 CVAs occurred in 23 patients (31%). Freedom from CVA at 1, 6, and 9 months was 81.8%, 67.5%, and 59.1%, respectively. Overall CVA incidence and freedom from CVA did not differ between eras, but fatal CVA incidence decreased (54% vs 10%, P = .03), coinciding with increased rate of successful outcomes (transplantation and explantation: 70.8% vs 92.6%, P = .03). Key differences between eras included the introduction of bivalirudin, decreased threshold for cannula/pump interventions (1.4 vs 5.8 per patient, P < .001), and more proactive timing of support, with fewer patients progressing to preimplantation cardiogenic shock (P = .02) and reduced pre-BHE extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = .04) and pre-BHE centrifugal pump support (P = .007).

Modern BHE management significantly reduces incidence of fatal strokes and improves survival, despite increased duration of support.