Anatomic fit assessment for the Penn State pediatric ventricular assist device

This investigation determined the ages and weights of children that could be supported with 12 and 25 ml Penn State pediatric ventricular assist devices (PVADs) using 6, 8, and 10 mm outlet cannulas and grafts. Future patients will be matched to devices based on cardiac output (CO) and ascending aortic diameter (AA). These were calculated for children 0-10 years with regression formulas given as clinical standards [<5 kg, CO = 0.2171(kg) + 0.0703], [>5 kg, CO = 3.06 (m) + 0.37], [AA = -0.0427 + 14.54 (m)]. The 12 ml PVAD will be useful for patients from approximately birth to 3-8 months, weighing 2-7 kg, and having 0.5-1.4 L/min CO; the 25 ml PVAD will be for children 2-6 months to 5-9 years old, weighing 6-23 kg, and having 1.3-3.0 L/min of CO. The 6 mm outlet graft will fit children from 0 to 12 months, weighing 2-8 kg; the 8 mm graft from 0 to 47 months, weighing 4-14 kg; and the 10 mm graft for children 4 months to 8 years, weighing 8-21 kg.