PW 1-7 Ventricular Assist Devices As Bridge To Transplant Or

PW 1-7
Ventricular Assist Devices As Bridge To Transplant Or Recovery in Pediatrics And
Adolescents With Terminal Heart Failure
Zimpfer D.(1), Riebandt J.(1), Schlögelhofer T.(2), Haberl T.(1), Mahr S.(1), Mlczoch E.(3), Voitl J.(3),
Michel-Behnke I.(3), Schima H.(2), Laufer G.(1)
Klinische Abteilung f. Herzchirurgie, Medizinische Universität Wien (1); Center for Medical Physics and
Biomedical Engineering, Medizinische Universität Wiem (2); Abteilung für Pädiatrische Kardiologie
Univ. Klinik für Kinder und Jugendheilkunde, Medizinische Universität Wien (3)
Background: Ventricular assist devices (VAD) are increasingly beeing used as bridge to transplant or
recovery in pediatrics and adoleoscents with terminal heart failure. We present our institutional
experience at the pediatric heart center Vienna with three different VAD systems.
Methods: A VAD was implanted in 10 pediatric patients (mean age 7.0±6.3, range 0-17yrs, mean
weight 35.1±44.2, range 5.4-150kg, male 30%) in severe heart failure refractory to therapy from April
2010 to June 2013 at the pediatric heart center Vienna. Caues of heart failure were dilative
cardiomyopathy (40%), restrictive cardiomyopathy (20%), myocarditis (20%) and failure of
univentricular palliations (20%). Depending on patients size and underlying disease a Berlin Heart
Excor BIVAD (30%), LVAD (20%), RVAD (10%), a Heartware LVAD (20%) or Thoratec Heartmate II
LVAD (10%) were used.
Results: VAD implantation was feasible in all patients. Of the 10 patients included in the present
analysis 40% were successfully bridged to cardiac transplantation, 20% were weaned from the assist
device and 40% are currently on the assist device awaiting cardiac transplantation. Mortality during
VAD support was 0%. One patient experienced an CT proven stroke during VAD support. Mean
duration of VAD support was 70±68 days.
Conclusion: Ventricular Assist Devices are an efficient and a safe treatment option for pediatric and
adolescent patients as bridge to cardiac transplantation or recovery.