Berlin Heart EXCOR Support in the First Year of Life: A Single Centre Experience

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Berlin Heart EXCOR Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (BHE) (Berlin Heart AG, Berlin, Germany, BHE) is used worldwide for mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation or recovery for children with end-stage heart failure. The study aim was to evaluate morbidity and mortality of children less than one year old supported with BHE to identify predictors of adverse outcomes. METHODS: Data of all children aged less than one year supported with BHE between 2005 and 2018 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne were reviewed. Adverse events were defined using PediMACS criteria. RESULTS: Fourteen (14) children under 1 year of age were implanted with BHE at a median a..