Improved 6 Minute Walk Distance and Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide After Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Device Placement in Children.

Despite increasing continuous-flow ventricular assist device (CF-VAD) use in children, minimal data exist regarding the functional recovery and rehabilitation potential after device placement. We hypothesized that after CF-VAD implantation, children would demonstrate a time-limited improvement in 6 minute walk distance (6MWD) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). A retrospective cohort study of 27 patients was conducted, those <18 years of age at a tertiary-care center during the study period.