Neurorehabilitation in a Pediatric Stroke Patient Supported on a CentriMag.

Patients supported on ventricular assist devices (VADs) benefit from rehabilitation while awaiting heart transplantation to recover from surgery, prevent deconditioning, and, in most cases, optimize transplant candidacy. With bleeding and neurological dysfunction as the most common VAD complications, the importance of rehabilitation dramatically increases when a patient on a VAD also suffers from a neurological injury. The rehabilitation needs for cardiac conditioning and neurological reeducation are not the same.

Supplemental nutrition, feeding disorders, and renourishment in pediatric heart failure through transplantation.

Background: Tube feeds are used commonly in children listed for heart transplant; however, rates of renourishment and development of feeding disorders are not sufficiently characterized.

Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric heart transplant recipients from January 1, 2014, to January 3, 2021. Demographics, anthropometric, and nutritional data were collected from heart transplant listing through 3 years post-transplant.

Growth stunting in single ventricle patients after heart transplantation.

Background: Malnutrition is common among children with single ventricle (SV) congenital heart disease (CHD). The impact of heart transplantation (HT) on nutritional status in SV patients is understudied. Our aim was to evaluate anthropometric changes in SV patients after HT, compared with those transplanted for cardiomyopathy (CM).

Impact of ventricular assist device implantation on the nutritional status of children awaiting heart transplantation.

Background: Malnutrition is common in pediatric heart failure and is associated with mortality. The effect of VAD support on malnutrition in children is unknown. We sought to compare the prevalence and severity of malnutrition at HT in children on VAD support vs OMT to inform decisions regarding support strategies.

Postoperative feeding problems in patients with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collaterals undergoing unifocalisation surgery.

Background: Patients with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collaterals are at risk for prolonged hospitalisation after unifocalisation. Feeding problems after congenital heart surgery are associated with longer hospital stay. We sought to determine the impact of baseline, intra-operative, and postoperative factors on the need for feeding tube use at the time of discharge.

Obesity and Premature Loss of Mobility in Two Adolescents with Becker Muscular Dystrophy After HeartMate II Implantation.

Weight gain is common after implantation of continuous-flow ventricular assist devices. Obesity can have a significant negative impact on mobility. For adolescents with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), for whom the ability to ambulate often persists into the mid-3rd decade, preservation of functional ability is critical.

An inpatient rehabilitation program utilizing standardized care pathways after paracorporeal ventricular assist device placement in children.

Background: Structured rehabilitation programs in adults after ventricular assist device (VAD) placement result in improvements in physical function and exercise capacity, and have been shown to improve survival and accelerate post-transplant recovery. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of an acute inpatient rehabilitation program for children utilizing standardized, age-appropriate, family-centered care pathways after paracorporeal VAD placement in both the ICU and acute-care inpatient settings.

Methods: Between November 12, 2010 and March 15, 2013, 17 patients were referred to therapy after VAD implantation, 14 of whom were medically stable enough to participate.