This review outlines the physiologic principles, patient selection criteria, and specialized management strategies needed to safely use the adult-designed HeartMate 3 heart pump in children, small adults, and patients with congenital heart disease or muscular dystrophy.
In this ACTION registry analysis of pediatric VAD recipients, patients bridged to transplant candidacy (rather than already listed at implant) faced significantly higher rates of major adverse events, on-device mortality, and lower rates of successful transplantation compared to bridge-to-transplant patients.
A multi-center ACTION registry study found that while VAD removal following heart recovery is rare in children (about 3%), nearly three-quarters of those who underwent explantation remained alive without needing a transplant or new device at two-year follow-up.
This multicenter analysis shows bivalirudin is an effective alternative to heparin for anticoagulation in pediatric mechanical circulatory support, with comparable bleeding and stroke outcomes.
This multicenter analysis shows bivalirudin is an effective alternative to heparin for anticoagulation in pediatric mechanical circulatory support, with comparable bleeding and stroke outcomes.
This study evaluates the progression of the distal aorta in patients with acute type A aortic dissection complicated by malperfusion syndrome who were treated with endovascular fenestration/stenting followed by delayed open aortic repair, finding that although these patients had faster distal aortic growth, their long-term survival and reoperation rates were similar to those without malperfusion syndrome.
Happy Fall to All! We have many exciting updates to share, such as new pediatric Impella education materials for Providers and Patients/Families, a debrief of our incredibly successful first VAD Bootcamp, and many new publications and other tools. As we move into the holiday season, we reflect on our continued appreciation and thankfulness for the engagement and collaboration from all stakeholders that continue to excel our research, quality improvement, education, and advocacy efforts.
The Pulse — Nov 2025 Read More »
We hope you are enjoying your summer vacations and finding time to rest and rejuvenate with your families! ACTION has been busy with new publications, tools, resources, and projects (see links and features below). We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new VAD Adverse Event Definitions! These new and updated definitions will help us capture events more accurately and efficiently. The DCC also streamlined fields, improved forms, and added instructional text throughout to make data entry easier and faster. Thanks to all those who worked on this important project! Lastly, we are now taking proposals for ISHLT 2026, see more details below on the submission process.
The Pulse — Aug 2025 Read More »
This multicenter study of 367 children from the ACTION network found that 78% had a positive outcome with paracorporeal continuous flow (pCF) mechanical support. Children with congenital heart disease had lower success rates and higher mortality than those without CHD.
Let’s make 2025 our best year yet! We wrapped 2024 with the exciting announcement for the FDA expanded label of Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s Impella Support System to include treatment for certain children suffering from heart failure. Achievements like this would not be possible without the continued efforts and dedication of our ACTION centers providing care to these patients, as well as entering, cleaning, and adjudicating the data. We also continued access to the Berlin Heart Active Driver under the extended trial, and we published many new ACTION manuscripts.
The Pulse — April 2025 Read More »
