Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices

If your child's heart is weak or failing, our pediatric heart specialists offer a range of heart failure treatments, including ventricular assist devices (VADs). A VAD supports your child's heart function and blood flow, pumping blood to vital organs just like a healthy heart would. A VAD can support your child's heart during and after surgery, while waiting for a heart transplant, or even be used as a long-term solution.

We'll partner with you to find the best VAD option for your child – and give their heart the support it needs to keep going.

Your Child's VAD Options

Your child's condition determines which type of VAD is right for them.

• LVAD (left ventricular assist device) pumps blood from the left ventricle to the aorta
• RVAD (right ventricular assist device) pumps blood to the pulmonary artery
• BIVAD (biventricular assist device) combines a LVAD and a RVAD to support the heart when both ventricles are too weak

The VAD can be set up outside the body or implanted, depending on whether your child needs short-term or long-term support.