Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and ECMO Program

Our Cardiac Critical Care Unit (CICU) serves as the home for our Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and ECMO Program, which uses pediatric home ventricular assist devices (VADs) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Since 2006, approximately 25 percent of our heart transplant patients were supported during their waiting period by some form of mechanical circulatory support. These devices allow us to support our most critical patients, making them feel better and enjoy a more routine lifestyle while waiting for a heart.

A VAD is a type of pump that can be surgically implanted to assist the failing heart in pumping blood throughout the body. Over the past few years, our team has successfully used a wide variety of available devices to "bridge" or help patients with severe heart failure get stronger while waiting for heart transplant or for their own hearts to recover. Our experience and expertise with the full array of available technologies allows the team to select the best type of support for each patient.

VADs allow a "more normal" lifestyle

The Children's Wisconsin program is one of the few pediatric programs in the country with the depth and experience to offer pediatric patients and their families the opportunity to go home with their VAD support. This includes the ability to attend school and participate in other activities with close follow-up by our home VAD team. Children supported by VAD also require less IV medicines and can enjoy a normal appetite and diet.

Types of support offered

• ECLS (extracorporeal life support) – This device supports both the heart and lungs with a pump that is outside the body and connected to either blood vessels in the neck or groin or to the heart itself with cannulas (small tubing). These can be initiated at the bedside and are intended for short term use (hours to days).
• CentriMag – This is the same pump as used for ECLS but without the artificial lung component. It can support either the right or left ventricle and is intended for short to intermediate term use (days to 2-3 months).
• Berlin EXCOR – This is a ventricular assist device (VAD) in which the pump resides next to and outside the chest and connects to the heart with cannulas (small tubing) that pass through the chest wall. It is intended for intermediate to longer term support (several months).
• HeartMate 3 – A VAD that is placed within the chest and typically supports the left ventricle (LVAD). This device permits the patient to go home and attend school or work and is intended for long term support (months to years).
• Impella – This is a small catheter-based VAD that does not require opening the chest and is most commonly used to support the left ventricle (LVAD). This is intended for short term use (hours to days).
• Total artificial heart (TAH) – This replaces both pumping chambers (left and right ventricle) with two VADs. In young children the pumps reside outside the body and connect to the heart with cannulas (small tubing) that pass through the chest wall. In adults the pumps are placed inside the chest. Both forms are designed for longer term support (several months).

Become a patient or contact us

Contact us for more information about the Herma Heart Institute. Request an appointment online or call (414) 607-5280 or toll-free (877) 969-3028.

Jack's story

At 11 years old, Jack's need for a heart transplant soon made him the first pediatric heart patient in the U.S. to have a home VAD. Read Jack's story.