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. 2001 Oct;3(4):24-54.

Ventricular assist devices in pediatrics

A Fuchs  1 , H Netz
Affiliations

Ventricular assist devices in pediatrics

A Fuchs et al. Images Paediatr Cardiol. 2001 Oct.

Abstract

The implantation of a mechanical circulatory device for end-stage ventricular failure is a possible therapeutic approach in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and cardiology. The aim of this article is to present mechanical circulatory assist devices used in infants and children with special emphasis on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Berlin Heart assist device, centrifugal pump and Medos assist device. The success of long-term support with implantable ventricular assist devices in adults and children has led to their increasing use as a bridge to transplantation in patients with otherwise non-treatable left ventricular failure, by transforming a terminal phase heart condition into a treatable cardiopathy. Such therapy allows rehabilitation of patients before elective cardiac transplantation (by removing contraindications to transplantation mainly represented by organ impairment) or acting as a bridge to recovery of the native left ventricular function (depending on underlying cardiac disease). Treatment may also involve permanent device implantation when cardiac transplantation is contraindicated. Indications for the implantation of assisted circulation include all states of cardiac failure that are reversible within a variable period of time or that require heart transplantation. This article will address the current status of ventricular assist devices by examining historical aspects of its development, current technical issues and clinical features of pediatric ventricular assist devices, including indications and contraindications for support.

Keywords: Berlin Heart; Centrifugal pump; ECMO; Heart failure; HeartMate; Jarvik 2000; Medos; Thoratec; Ventricular assist device.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
intraaortic balloon pump
Figure 2
Figure 2
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a 7 days old child after Damus-Kaye-Stansel operation
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bio-Pump blood pump
Figure 4
Figure 4
Berlin Heart ventricular assist device
Figure 5
Figure 5
Berlin Heart pediatric pump
Figure 6
Figure 6
Medos ventricular assist device
Figure 7
Figure 7
Thoratec pump
Figure 8
Figure 8
HeartMate pneumatic ventricular assist device
Figure 9
Figure 9
Abiomed ventricular assist device
Figure 10
Figure 10
Jarvik 2000
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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