Ventricular assist device support in paediatric patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy-clinical outcomes and haemodynamics.

Objectives: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is rare and is generally associated with worse clinical outcomes compared to other cardiomyopathies. Ventricular assist device (VAD) support for these children is seldom applied and often hampered by the surgical difficulties.

Methods: All paediatric (<19 years) patients with a restricted cardiomyopathy supported by a VAD from the EUROMACS database were included and compared to patients with a dilated cardiomyopathy (retrospective database analyses).

The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS): fourth Paediatric EUROMACS (Paedi-EUROMACS) report.

Objectives: The use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) in children is increasing. However, absolute numbers in individual centres and countries remain small. Collaborative efforts such as the Paedi-European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) are therefore essential for combining international experience with paediatric VADs.

Practical training concept for perfusionists at the heart and diabetes center Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Background: Increasing regulations and requirements of advisory bodies, in particular the Joint Federal Committee and the Medical Service of the health insurance funds, make it necessary to employ only demonstrably well-trained perfusionists. The minimum requirement for this staff is EBCP certification. Currently there is limited availability of such specialists on the German market.

Durable left ventricular assist device explantation following recovery in paediatric patients: Determinants and outcome after explantation.

Objectives: Myocardial recovery in children supported by a durable left ventricular assist device is a rare, but highly desirable outcome because it could potentially eliminate the need for a cardiac transplant and the lifelong need for immunosuppressant therapy and the risk of complications. However, experience with this specific outcome is extremely limited.

Methods: All patients < 19 years old supported by a durable left ventricular assist device from the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support database were included.