New ventricular assist device called the PediPump

A new ventricular assist device (VAD) called the PediPump has been developed specifically for use in children. A status report on this new device appears in the July issue of the journal Artificial Organs.

Measuring at just 7mm x 70 mm, this small rotary dynamic VAD is suitable for use in children, including newborns, in treatment of end-stage heart failure. The program that developed the PediPump is a partnership between clinicians at The Children’s Hospital at the Cleveland Clinic and researchers in Biomedical Engineering, The Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic.

“Historically, children have had few options for mechanical support of the failing heart,” states lead researcher, Dr. Brian Duncan. “The PediPump is an artificial heart pump designed specifically for children with heart failure. The experimental development of the PediPump and similar devices will give new hope to children with heart failure.”

According to researchers, despite being much smaller than traditional VADs, the PediPump has demonstrated excellent hemodynamic performance and its versatile design will ultimately allow for its use in a variety of clinical settings. Researchers plan to further reduce the size of the PediPump to allow for a totally implantable pediatric VAD.