Centrifugal pump left heart assist in pediatric cardiac operations. Indication, technique, and results
Karl, T.R.; Sano, S.; Horton, S.; Mee, R.B.
Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 102(4): 624-630
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5223 PMID: 1921439 Document Number: 371727
Twelve children aged 6 days to 12 years had left or common atrial to aortic extracorporeal support with a centrifugal pump after cardiac operations. Left ventricular assist time ranged from 38 to 190 hours. Ten patients were successfully weaned from left ventricular assist device support; four hospital deaths occurred afterward. All six survivors were discharged from the hospital with improved left ventricular function. Although the follow-up is short and the experience limited, we consider the centrifugal pump type of left ventricular assist device to be a potentially lifesaving treatment modality for selected pediatric patients having cardiac operations.