Congenital heart disease
Single-center experience with treatment of cardiogenic shock in children by pediatric ventricular assist devices

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Background

Pediatric ventricular assist devices may be superior to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in some respects, especially for medium- and long-term cardiac support. We present our nearly 20-year experience with pediatric ventricular assist devices.

Methods

Between 1990 and April 2009, Berlin Heart EXCOR (Berlin Heart AG, Berlin, Germany) was implanted in 94 children. Patients were compared according to period of treatment: group I, implantation between 1990 and 2001 (n = 45), and group II, implantation since 2002 (n = 49).

Results

Preoperative serum creatinine (1.2 vs 0.7 mg/dL, P = .002) and bilirubin (1.5 vs 1 mg/dL, P = .002) were lower in period II, and fewer patients were artificially ventilated before surgery (26 vs 13, P = .002). In period I, more patients were supported with biventricular assist devices (64% vs 22.5%, P < .001). Median time on support was shorter in period I (10 vs 40 days, P < .001). Success (weaning from system or heart transplant) was achieved in 49% and 69%, respectively (P = .043). Whereas in period I 17% of children younger than 1 year were discharged home after transplant or weaning, rate during period II was 93% (P < .001), in particular because of improvement in discharge rate of patients with postcardiotomy heart failure (13% vs 50%). Rates of pump exchange for thrombus formation were 0.029/d in period I and 0.014/d in period II (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Recent results show significant improvements in survival and discharge rate, especially for children younger than 1 year. Pediatric Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device may provide a safe mechanical support strategy in children with cardiogenic shock.

CTSNet classification

20
27
34

Abbreviations and Acronyms

BNP
B-type natriuretic peptide
BVAD
biventricular assist device
ECMO
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
LVAD
left ventricular assist device
VAD
ventricular assist device

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Disclosures: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support.