Ventricular assist device support following pediatric heart transplantation

Abstract

Background VAD support for early graft failure after HTx is a rare event in pediatrics. Methods We retrospectively describe our single‐center experience with post‐HTx VAD support in a cohort of patients transplanted between 01/05 and 12/20. Results Nine patients underwent VAD insertion in the early post‐HTx period [median age 6.1 years (Range 0.3–20.3), median weight 17.6 kg (Range 3.5–65.0), and congenital heart disease (67%)]. Of the nine patients with early graft failure, almost half (44%) were implanted after 2015 and all of these patients had a pre‐HTx plan for possible post‐transplant VAD insertion. Time to VAD implant was a median of 0 day (Range 0–11). Total time on VAD support was a median of 12 days (Range 3.0–478.0). Two‐thirds (n = 6; 67%) of the patients were weaned from support, retransplanted (11%) and two patients died (22%). In all of the patients where post‐HTx VAD was anticipated there was 100% survival. Conclusions In this small patient series, post‐HTx VAD was a useful measure in selected patients especially with pre‐HTx planning. However, more shared experiences to verify these findings are needed.