The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2020
Blood trauma potential of the HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device in pediatric patients.
Mechanical circulatory support has become a standard therapy for adult patients with end-stage heart failure. For pediatric patients, technologic development lags behind with no currently approved implantable rotary blood pump. As an alternative, the HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn), originally designed for adults, is increasingly used in pediatric patients. The aim of this multicenter study was to assess in silico, in vitro, and in vivo the blood trauma potential of this pump in pediatric application. ⋯ The HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device, operated at lower speeds and flows, induces elevated blood trauma. Further studies are required to assess the clinical implications of these findings.