Ventricular Assist Device Support in Children and Adolescents as a Bridge to Heart Transplantation

Currently available VADs are applicable for use as a bridge to orthotopic heart transplantation or in rare instances for myocardial recovery. The increasing accessibility of miniaturized devices allow for long-term support in smaller children and infants while awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation. Although the perioperative morbidity and mortality of VAD placement is not insignificant, survival for those who receive a heart transplant is excellent.