Successful experience with Levitronix PediVAS for management of acute heart failure after Fontan surgery

Abstract

An extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was long a golden standard in the pediatric population with acute cardiac failure for short-term mechanical circulatory support. It gives the limited availability of pediatric-sized pumps and the outcomes remain disproportionately poor. The Levitronix PediVAS system (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) offers expanded options for short-term support for this population. We report our experience with the successful use of the PediVAS (left heart bypass) in the 3-year-old male patient as a bridge to recovery after Fontan surgery in acute heart failure. Short-term circulatory support with the Levitronix PediVAS has proven to be a less invasive, safe, and effective for our pediatric patient. © Versita Sp. z o.o.