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Our aim was to study the feasibility of implanting the Infant Jarvik 2015 in patients weighing less than 8 kg. The Infant Jarvik 2015 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was tested in a hybrid simulator of the cardiovascular system reproducing specific patients' hemodynamics for different patient weights (2–7 kg). For each weight, the sensitivity of the pump to different circulatory parameters (peripheral resistance, left ventricular elastance, right ventricular elastance, heart rate, and heart filling characteristics) has been tested repeating for each experiment a pump ramp (10 000–18 000 rpm). The increase in the pump speed causes a decrease (increase) in the left (right) atrial pressure, an increase (decrease) in the arterial systemic (pulmonary) pressure, an increase in the right ventricular pressure, a decrease (increase) in the left (right) ventricular volume, a decrease in the left ventricular cardiac output, an increase in the LVAD output and an increase in the right ventricular cardiac output (total cardiac output). Suction was observed for lower weight patients and for higher pump speed in the case of vasodilation, left ventricular recovery, bradycardia, right ventricular failure, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Backflow was observed in the case of left ventricular recovery at lower pump speed. In the hybrid simulator, the Infant Jarvik 2015 could be suitable for the implantation in patients lower than 8 kg because of the stability of the device respect to the cardio/circulatory changes (low frequency of suction and backflow) and because of the capability of the device to maintain adequate patient hemodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the echocardiographic trend of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function after implantation of a pulsatile flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in children. From 2013 to 2016, we prospectively evaluated 13 consecutive pediatric Berlin Heart EXCOR LVAD patients. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline, within 24 h after implantation and monthly until LVAD explant. Median age and weight at the implantation was 8 (4–23) months and 5 (4.6–8.3) kg at the time of implantation, respectively. All were affected by dilated cardiomyopathy. Average LVAD support time was 226.2 ± 121.2 days. Nine (70%) were transplanted, 4 (30%) died. LV end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volumes were reduced until the follow up of two months (P = 0.019 and P = 0.001). A progressive increase in RV dimensions was observed. After 4 months of follow up, RV fractional area change worsening was statistically related with the deterioration of LV unloading (P = 0.0036). Four patients needed prolonged inotropic support for RV failure. Pulsatile LVAD in pediatrics is followed by an early and mid‐term LV unloading, as expressed by a decrease in LV volumes and diameters at echocardiogram. The effects of unloading do not remain stable at long term follow up. RV function improved in the acute phase, but a progressive dilatation of RV was noted over time. In some patients, RV failure might lead to the need of an increase of inotropic support at long term follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]