VAD for Children with Heart Failure

A new ventricular-assist device (VAD) called the PediPump has been developed specifically for children with heart failure.

This new VAD is suitable for use in children, including newborns, for the treatment of end-stage heart failure. The pump, which measures 7 mm by 70 mm, is a small rotary dynamic VAD. It was developed by a partnership between clinicians at The Children's Hospital at the Cleveland Clinic and researchers in biomedical engineering at the Lerner Institute of the Cleveland Clinic (OH, USA).

In spite of the fact that the PediPump is much smaller than traditional VADS, it has demonstrated excellent hemodynamic performance. The developers believe the versatile design will ultimately allow for its use in a variety of clinical settings. They have plans to further reduce the size of the PediPump to allow for a totally implantable pediatric VAD. A status report on the new devices appeared in the July 2005 issue of Artificial Organs.

"Historically, children have had few options for mechanical support of the failing heart,” stated lead researcher Dr. Brian Duncan, an associate staff member of The Children's Hospital at The Cleveland Clinic. "The PediPump is an artificial heart pump designed specifically for children with heart failure. The experimental development of the PediPump and similar devices will give new hope to children with heart failure.”




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