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Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices

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Abstract

Ventricular assist device therapy is continuing to evolve in the practice of pediatric cardiac surgery. Although ECMO is still the most often applied mechanical support for infants and young children, a broader range of pulsatile, paracorporeal, as well as implantable ventricular assist devices are now available for pediatric application. A number of these innovative devices have been developed specifically for pediatric use with miniaturized pumps and optimized cannulas suitable for the entire age range of pediatric patients including neonates. Unlike ECMO, these devices can offer medium- to long-term support and have been successfully utilized as a bridge to transplant as well as a bridge to recovery. This review examines the different types of devices currently available, their clinical indications for use, future devices, and the current results of pediatric ventricular assist device therapy in the treatment of heart failure in the pediatric population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiac Surgery, Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Bader 273, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Francis Fynn-Thompson

  2. Department of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Christopher Almond

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  1. Francis Fynn-Thompson
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  2. Christopher Almond
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Correspondence to Francis Fynn-Thompson.

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Fynn-Thompson, F., Almond, C. Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices. Pediatr Cardiol 28, 149–155 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-006-1453-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-006-1453-6

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