Intracorporeal LVAD implantation in pediatric patients: A single-center 10 years' experience.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mechanical cardiac support is currently an effective strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. However, solid evidence regarding the feasibility of intracorporeal devices in children still needs to be provided. We report our 10-year experience with intracorporeal left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included all patients undergoing intracorporeal, continuous-flow LVAD implantation between 2012 and 2022. Baseline and postoperative data were collected from the institutional database. RESULTS: Seven HeartWare and 4 HeartMate3 were implanted in 11 patients (median age 13.9 years, median body surface area - BSA - 1.42 m2, IQR 1.06-1.68). The most frequent indication to LVAD implant was dilated cardiomyopathy (72.7%). All candidates underwent a thorough preoperative advanced imaging. Three-dimensional reconstructions and implant fit simulation were performed when BSA was <1.2 m2, weight <30 kg, or internal transverse thoracic diameter <20 cm. There was no operative death. The most common postoperative complication was surgical re-exploration due to bleeding (27.3%). One patient died of severe neurological complications after about 3 months of hospitalization. No late deaths or unplanned re-hospitalizations occurred in the remaining 10, 6 of whom were discharged home. There were no major complications at the follow-up. All survivors underwent successful heart transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Intracorporeal LVAD implantation proved to be a potentially feasible and safe option in young teenagers and children whose BSA was >1.0 m2. In borderline cases, the 3D reconstruction with implant fit simulation can effectively help to identify those patients who can safely undergo intrathoracic LVAD implantation.