Specialties & Conditions Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that is used to support heart function and blood flow in patients with end stage heart failure. In pediatrics, VADs are most commonly used to support the heart while a patient waits for a donor heart (bridge to transplant), to recover a heart in temporary dysfunction (bridge to recovery), or while determining the best course of management (bridge to decision). Lurie Children's Heart Center uses VADs to support the hearts of patients from infancy to young adulthood, including patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy and our most complex congenital heart disease populations.
Our VAD Program started in 1995. Over the last 25 years, we have implanted more than 55 VADs, with 13 patients supported on devices in 2019. We have implanted a variety of devices such as the HeartWare®, SynCardia®, CentriMag®/PediMag®, Berlin Heart EXCOR®, and HeartMate3®. We also have experience supporting the unique needs of complex congenital patients with VADs, and we have an outpatient program for those patients able to go home on devices such as the HeartWare® and HeartMate3®.
Our goal is to use a family-centered approach to meet the unique needs of every child in end-stage heart failure with a focus on improving strength and rehabilitation while on VAD support.
VADs are used when the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to the body and needs additional support.
The VAD Program at Lurie Children's implants a variety of devices, including:
We specialize in supporting a broad range of conditions, including complex congenital heart disease such as single ventricle heart defects. Having a broad range of devices, including short-term and long-term VADs, give us the ability to tailor device selection to meet the needs of our infants, children, teenagers and young adults.
As part of our family-centered approach, our VAD coordinator is present for daily rounds and works closely with families and the team to ensure up-to-date communication and recommendations for further management. We hold regular multidisciplinary meetings with families to discuss how we can best meet the needs of their child.
We focus on getting children stronger while on VAD support through our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program, both inpatient and outpatient. Our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and clinical exercise physiologists are experienced in working with children of all ages on all types of VAD support.
We are also an active participant of The Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) with members on the ACTION Leadership Committee. ACTION is an international quality improvement network that unites providers and families to improve critical outcomes for children with heart failure. By collaborating with experts in the field, we have continued to grow and foster a successful VAD program.
The core VAD Team is comprised of members from the Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program, Cardiac Critical Care, and Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery. Our team works closely with the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit and Heart Failure Team in the evaluation phase and management of a patient with a VAD.
Anna G. Joong,
MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Michael C. Mongé,
MD
Surgical Director, Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program; Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Surgery (Cardiac Surgery), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Allison Reichhold,
APRN-NP
Advanced Practice Provider, Inpatient Cardiology
Philip T. Thrush,
MD
Medical Director, Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program; Attending Physician, Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Kae Watanabe
MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Kiona Y. Allen,
MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology; Interim Medical Director, Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit; Medical Director, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence; Associate Medical Director, NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Erin Bressler
MD
Cardiac Intensivist, Cardiology
Instructor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) and Pediatrics (Critical Care), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Lindsay M. Jackson,
APRN-NP
Lead Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Meghan Matlin VAD Nurse Liaison
Clinical Education Specialist, Cardiac Care Unit
We have a strong multidisciplinary approach that includes:
We have identified “VAD Champions” – key members of different subspecialities to collaborate on the specific needs of a pediatric patient on VAD support. Some of these subspecialities include: Hematology, Neurology, Infectious Disease, Anesthesiology, Interventional Radiology, Adult Congenital Heart Disease, and many more.
After spending more than 100 days in the hospital, a heart donor was located for Opal and she underwent transplant surgery in a matter of hours.
READ THE JANUARY 2019 ARTICLE
At age 11, Jaheim was the world’s youngest person to receive the 50cc SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t).
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In 2018, Sofia had two birthday wishes: to meet Drake and to receive a new heart. One week after Drake surprised her in in her hospital room, Sofia received her second birthday wish.
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Wally's family waited 52 days in the hospital and 41 days on the heart transplant list. Then, on Rare Disease Awareness Day, Wally received his new heart.
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After being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, Saniyah underwent two major heart surgeries, including one to install a device she named "Jeffrey."
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A large part of preparing patients for a heart transplant is working with physical, occupational and speech therapy to build up strength as well as to support child development. Watch this in action.
View the Video
In 2008, Tiana became the first person in Illinois to benefit from the use of a device called the Berlin Heart, a small pump located outside the body but connected to the heart. The device is run by a laptop computer and works by helping the right ventricle of the heart pump blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle to pump blood to the body.
Read MoreTo contact the VAD Program team, email VADteam@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.4100.
To help prepare families for their care with Lurie Children's Heart Center, we have compiled a list of resources that may be of use throughout treatment — whether it's getting ready for an inpatient stay or outpatient visit, or learning more about the support services available to patients and families.
For more information on VADs, please visit the helpful links below.
