ESAO 2025ProgrammeESAO | 25-28 JuneDay 2 | June 26SessionsPaediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support: Mechanical Circulatory Support for Paediatric Patients

Paediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support: Mechanical Circulatory Support for Paediatric Patients

Abstract

Heart failure from congenital heart defects affects 1-2 per 100 live births, while cardiomyopathy impacts 1 per 10,000 children under 1 year old. Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) have progressed significantly for adults, with many new VADs reaching clinical trials, but paediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) technology lags. The Berlin Heart EXCOR® system is currently the only approved paediatric VAD, offering good survival rates but also associated with risks such as haemorrhage and thromboembolic events, and confining patients to hospital due to its size. This symposium will highlight the clinical need for new paediatric MCS technology and research into novel and emerging solutions.

Chairs

The programme

Time

Presentation


Welcome & introduction

Katharine Fraser, Marcus Granegger

35 min

Keynote talk: Ulrike Herberg, Uniklinik RWTH AAchen

Clinician's perspective on mechanical circulatory support for paediatric patients: Current problems – urgent demands

18 min

Restoring Ventriculo-Arterial Coupling By Speed Modulating Rotary Blood Pumps 
Theodor Abart, Christian Doppler Laboratory for Mechanical Circulatory Support, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University Of Vienna, Austria

18 min

Towards optimisation of a paediatric axial blood pump with variable blade thickness

Nathaniel Kelly, University of Bath

18 min

Advancing Fontan Assist Strategies: Integrating Classic Designs with Next-Generation Solutions through Modeling and Bench Testing

Canberk Yildirim, Koc University

 

Closing words

Katharine Fraser, Marcus Granegger