title: New era of pediatric ventricular assist devices: let us go to school.
abstract: As there is still a shortage of pediatric donor hearts, several techniques have been used to assist pediatric patients to survive until transplantation. VADs provide long-term support and ability of mobilization for children before a suitable heart becomes available. Several devices such as paracorporeal pumps have been used for this purpose, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. However, discharge is not possible, as there is no mobile drive unit for these small-sized pumps. The possible negative psychosocial impact of long-term hospitalization, away from home and school, may cause some adjustment problems in the future. In this case series, three pediatric patients that underwent intracorporeal LVAD implantation and returned to school are presented to share clinical experience and also to attract attention to the potential social and psychiatric implications.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Ege University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozbaran
authors.forename: Tahir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yagdi
authors.forename: Cagatay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Engin
authors.forename: Zulal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ulger
authors.forename: Burcu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozbaran
authors.forename: Sezen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kacamak
authors.forename: Yaprak
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Engin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012917:Social Adjustment
keywords: adolescents; cardiomyopathy; pediatric heart transplant; ventricular assist device