The Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program offers comprehensive support to children who have the most severe forms of heart failure. Our program is at the forefront of pediatric cardiology for its strategies and innovations that ensure children’s hearts function properly and that they are in the best position to live the lives they want to lead.
Our team consists of cardiologists who have extensive experience in mechanical circulatory support, the cardiac surgeons who implant VADs, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. We work closely with specialists from Boston Children’s Cardiomyopathy, Cardiac Antithrombosis Management, Heart Failure, and Heart Transplant programs to provide the highest level of comprehensive care. And because we offer complete support long after a device has been implanted, our team also includes occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, and child life experts to help children and their families with any and all needs.
What is a ventricular assist device (VAD)?
A VAD is an implanted electrical heart pump that works in tandem with a weak or failing heart to improve blood flow. Children who have single ventricle defects or other complex congenital heart defects (CHDs), cardiomyopathy, or an arrhythmia can benefit from a VAD. Some children need the device before they can have a heart transplant, while others rely on a VAD for life-long therapy.
What are the ways a VAD can help a child’s heart?
There are four ways a VAD can help children:
- Bridge to decision: A VAD supports a child’s failing heart while their care team determines the next step in treatment. It will immediately stabilize the heart and overall health.
- Bridge to recovery: A VAD can help a child’s heart muscle to recover. The ultimate goal is to remove the device once the child’s heart can pump sufficiently on its own.
- Bridge to transplant: Children who are becoming ill from progressive heart failure while waiting for a transplant can benefit from a VAD. The device will improve their condition and quality of life as they wait.
- Destination or life-long therapy: When children do not qualify or choose not to have a transplant, they can instead rely on the support of a VAD.
What happens if your child needs a VAD?
If your child is diagnosed with advanced heart failure, they can be referred to our program by your family’s primary care physician or primary cardiologist or by a subspecialist. We will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your child to determine if a VAD is an appropriate option and, if so, which type of VAD is ideal. We will also learn if any other of your child’s organs will be affected by the device. Working with our colleagues at the Cardiac Antithrombosis Management Program, we’ll recommend the most suitable anticoagulants your child will need to take to prevent blood clots, infection, or stroke.
Our team and other specialists also need to determine whether your child can go home after the device is implanted. Many children can go home with a VAD, but some need to stay at the hospital. It depends on your child’s underlying heart condition and their health status, as well as the type of VAD they get.
Dedicated to supporting your child and family
Since our program began in 2005, we have been recognized internationally for our research and innovations that have improved the efficiency and safety of VADs and for our commitment to finding the safest and most effective anticoagulants for our patients.
Advancing heart therapy
Our specialists are members of the Action Learning Network (ACTION), a collaboration of clinicians, researchers, patients, and parents who work to improve cardiac therapies. Many of our physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses hold leadership positions within ACTION and are dedicated to improving the field of advanced heart failure therapy.
Living with a VAD can be difficult and challenging. But we will help your child and family with all aspects of care and VAD management: from evaluating your child and overseeing device implantation to supporting their needs at home, school, and anywhere else life takes them. We will ensure that the device doesn’t stop them from enjoying the highest quality of life.
