Antithrombotic therapies in children on durable Ventricular Assist Devices: A literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are increasingly utilised in children with end-stage heart failure, and experience high bleeding and clotting rates. In particular, pediatric VAD patients are more challenging than adults to anticoagulate due to developmental hemostasis, lack of suitable drug preparations, and difficult anticoagulation monitoring often due to poor vascular access; in addition to difficulties of VAD design in smaller children. This review aims to summarize the current evidence related to antithrombotic therapy in pediatric VAD patients. Materials and methods: A search of 2 databases across a 17-year period of time was undertaken using key words selected a priori..