ABSTRACT
Mechanical circulatory support formanagement of ventricular dysfunction after surgery or acute decompensation of chronic heart failure in children has become an important tool to achieve hemodynamic stability as part of surgical management in most pediatric cardiac units. When combined with an active transplantation program, mechanical circulatory support can have a significant impact on overall mortality. Despite the limited types of devices available for pediatric use, mechanical circulatory support with a conventional roller pump or centrifugal pump has been applied widely with substantial success. Unlike the application of mechanical support in adults, the most common indications in children is for short-term support (less than 2 weeks) as bridge to recovery following acute decompensation. Bridge to
transplantation as an indication for support remains limited in the pediatric setting due to the limitations of the circulatory support systems, and the relatively high incidence of complications with conventional extracorporeal life support systems (ECLS). In this section, we will review current systems available for pediatric support, indications for support and results, and new types of systems including new devices currently under design.
