Lessons learned from the first application of the DeBakey VAD Child: an intracorporeal ventricular assist device for children.
We report and describe the design and the first clinical implantation of the DeBakey ventricular assist device (VAD) Child, a pediatric intracorporeal left ventricular assist device, in a 6-year-old girl. The risk-benefit of novel technologies in advanced heart failure and the lessons learned by our experience are important to consider in hopes that other centers (where this device is now available) may benefit.
Morales
David L S
DL
Division of Congenital Heart Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. dmorale1@bcm.tmc.edu
Dibardino
Daniel J
DJ
McKenzie
E Dean
ED
Heinle
Jeff S
JS
Chang
Anthony C
AC
Loebe
Matthias
M
Noon
George P
GP
Debakey
Michael E
ME
Fraser
Charles D
CD
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control