RESUMO
Children waiting for a heart transplant who require mechanical circulatory support often experience many months of hospitalization. This has a significant impact on their mental health and their development. Additional risk factors for these disorders are neurologic complications associated with the used treatment. To counteract developmental dysfunctions (despite successful heart transplantation) and possible disability in the sphere of mental health as well as to improve executive functions of children after a neurologic incident, there is a need for comprehensive care provided by a clinical psychologist who is a member of a multidisciplinary medical team taking care of the patient. Based on our own experience, standards of psychological care were developed for pediatric patients awaiting heart transplantation and those requiring mechanical circulatory support.