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Review
. 2021 Feb;11(1):193-201.
doi: 10.21037/cdt-20-282.

The role of ventricular assist device in children

Eva Maria Javier Delmo  1 , Mariano Francisco Del Maria Javier  2 , Roland Hetzer  2
Affiliations
Review

The role of ventricular assist device in children

Eva Maria Javier Delmo et al. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

The first and successful implantation of a ventricular assist device in 1990 has allowed an 8-year-old child with an end-stage heart failure to undergo a heart transplantation. This milestone paved the way to consider support with ventricular assist in the armamentarium of heart failure management in infants, children and adolescents. Several systems have evolved and faded owing to unacceptable complications. Indications and contraindications to implantation have been established. Anticoagulation management is still on its way to impeccability. Despite the challenges, issues and concerns revolving around ventricular assist devices, the system definitely supports pediatric patients with end-stage heart failure until heart transplantation and could allow recovery of the myocardium.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease; heart failure (HF); heart transplantation; myocardial recovery; ventricular assist device (VAD).

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure forms (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/cdt-20-282). The series “Heart Failure in the Young and Old: Insights into Various Therapies” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. RH served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series and serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy from July 2019 to Jun 2021. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

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