Ventricular Assist Device

Using state-of-the-art technology, the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) is implemented for patients awaiting heart transplantation. It can be set up to assist the pumping force of one or two ventricles of the heart. The device has two connections for the left and right side of the heart. The right connection (cannula) takes blood returning to the heart and pumps the blood back into the pulmonary artery from where it goes to the lungs to receive oxygen. The left cannula is attached to the tip of the left ventricle and pumps oxygenated blood through the aorta into the rest of the body. The pumps remain outside the body and come in several sizes to accommodate to the size of the child. These pumps are controlled by a computer and power unit at the bedside. 

The main indication for using a VAD is to serve as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. The VAD, unlike ECMO, can be used as a long term several month   option for patients in heart failure.  ECMO is utilized as a rescue option for these patients and can be limited to seven or ten days.   In addition to extending the time a child can wait for a transplant, the VAD has other functions.  It can give the heart time to recover from certain acquired heart diseases, such as myocarditis.