Children Are Not Small Adults: Options for Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices

Abstract

The number of children supported with ventricular assist devices (VADs) has grown rapidly over the last few years. VAD use in children holds the promise of improving the outcomes in pediatric end-stage heart failure; however, the risk-benefit profile inherent to VAD use is not uniform across all ages, sizes, and diagnoses. Device use in children has underscored a number of issues that distinguish pediatric and adult heart failure such as the high prevalence of complex congenital heart disease and the challenges inherent to supporting infants and small children. The use of VADs in children also raises a range of social, emotional, and logistic changes unique to children across the age spectrum.