Contemporary outcomes of mechanical circulatory support using paracorporeal continuous flow pump in children: A report from the ACTION learning network.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) using paracorporeal continuous flow (pCF) pumps in children.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study used the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) database (4/2018-7/2023). Children who were supported with a pCF pump were included.

Ventricular Assist Device Use in Pediatric Restrictive and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: An ACTION Registry Analysis.

The use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) in children with restrictive (RCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains rare. We describe the outcomes of patients with RCM and HCM supported by VAD in the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry from March 2012 to December 2024. Thirty-four patients were identified: 20 left-sided VAD (LVAD), 13 biventricular VAD (BiVAD), and 1 total artificial heart (TAH).

Outcomes for Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: An ACTION Registry Analysis.

Background: There are no contemporary reports that highlight the national outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate differences in VAD outcomes for children with CHD to those with non-CHD as well as those with univentricular CHD to those with biventricular CHD.

Methods: Data for CHD and non-CHD patients from the multicenter ACTION (Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network) undergoing VAD implantation from April 2018 to February 2023 were included.

Transcatheter Axial Pump Use in Pediatric Patients on Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: An ACTION Collaborative Experience.

We report the largest pediatric multicenter experience with Impella pump use and peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. Utilizing the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) collaborative database, we conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of all patients with cardiogenic shock requiring VA-ECMO support with subsequent Impella implant between October 2014 and December 2021. The primary outcome was defined as death while on Impella support.

Outcomes of Intracorporeal Continuous and Paracorporeal Pulsatile Ventricular Assist Devices in Pediatric Patients 10-30 kg.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been increasingly implanted in pediatric patients. Paracorporeal VADs are generally chosen when intracorporeal continuous (IC) devices are too large. Superiority between IC and paracorporeal pulsatile (PP) devices remains unclear in smaller pediatric patients.

Outcomes after initial heart failure consultation in Fontan patients.

Background: Patients with Fontan failure are high-risk candidates for heart transplantation and other advanced therapies. Understanding the outcomes following initial heart failure consultation can help define appropriate timing of referral for advanced heart failure care.

Methods: This is a survey study of heart failure providers seeing any Fontan patient for initial heart failure care.

End-of-Life in Pediatric Patients Supported by Ventricular Assist Devices: A Network Database Cohort Study.

Objectives: Most pediatric patients on ventricular assist device (VAD) survive to transplantation. Approximately 15% will die on VAD support, and the circumstances at the end-of-life are not well understood. We, therefore, sought to characterize patient location and invasive interventions used at the time of death.

Initial multicenter experience with ventricular assist devices in children and young adults with muscular dystrophy: An ACTION registry analysis.

Purpose: Cardiac disease results in significant morbidity and mortality in patients with muscular dystrophy (MD). Single centers have reported their ventricular assist device (VAD) experience in specific MDs and in limited numbers. This study sought to describe the outcomes associated with VAD therapy in an unselected population across multiple centers.

Decreased Risk of Strokes in Children with Ventricular Assist Devices Within ACTION.

We sought to characterize strokes in children with ventricular assist devices. Of 407 patients in the ACTION registry (4/1/18-5/3/2021), 45 (11%) experienced 52 strokes (45 ischemic and 7 hemorrhagic). Median time to stroke was 23.

Using hepatitis C and B virus-infected donor organs for pediatric heart transplantation.

Objective: High-risk donors for patients with end-stage cardiac or pulmonary disease awaiting transplantation represent an opportunity for access to more organs and therefore can significantly decrease the waiting list mortality. The objective of this study is to investigate the use of hepatitis B virus core antibody positive or hepatitis C virus seropositive donors for pediatric heart transplantation.

Methods: Data were reviewed from the United Network of Organ Sharing database (June 2008 to June 2015).

Trends in antimicrobial resistance in Shigella species in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Shigellosis is a common cause of morbidity, especially in the very young and old, in developing countries. The disease is treated with antibiotics. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance trends is essential owing to the global emergence of antimicrobial resistance.