Ventricular assist devices in paediatric cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease: An analysis of the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects.

Background: Ventricular assist devices (VAD) are increasingly used in patients with end-stage heart failure due to acquired heart disease. Limited data exists on the use and outcome of this technology in children.

Methods: All children (<18 years of age) with VAD support included in the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects were identified and data on demographics, underlying cardiac defect, previous surgery, associated conditions, type of procedure, complications and outcome were collected.