The european registry for patients with mechanical circulatory support (EUROMACS): fourth paediatric EUROMACS (Paedi-EUROMACS) report

Abstract OBJECTIVES The use of ventricular assist devices in children is increasing. However, absolute numbers in individual centers and countries remain small. Collaborative efforts such as the Paedi-EUROMACS are therefore essential in order to combine international experience with paediatric ventricular assist devices. In this paper, the results from the fourth Paedi-EUROMACS report are presented. METHODS All paediatric (<19 years) patients supported by a ventricular assist device from the EUROMACS database were included. Patients are stratified into a congenital heart disease group and a group with a non-congenital aetiology. Endpoints included mortality, transplantation and recovery. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore associated factors for mortality, cerebrovascular accident, and pump thrombosis. RESULTS 590 primary implantations were included. The congenital group was significantly younger (2.5 versus 8.0 years respectively, p < 0.001) and were more commonly supported by a pulsatile flow device (73.5% vs 59.9%, p < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in the congenital group (30.8 vs 20.4%; p = 0.009) than in the non-congenital group. However, in multivariable analyses, congenital heart disease was not significantly associated with mortality (HR 1.285, CI 0.8111–2.036, p = 0.740). Pump thrombosis was the most frequently reported adverse event (377 events in 132 patients; 0.925 events per patient-year) and was significantly associated with BSA (HR 0.524 CI 0.333–0.823, p = 0.005), congenital heart disease (HR 1.641 CI 1.054–2.555, p = 0.028) and pulsatile flow support (HR 2.345 CI 1.406–3.910, p = 0.001) in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS This fourth Paedi-EUROMACS report highlights the increasing use of paediatric ventricular assist devices. The patient populations with congenital and non-congenital aetiology exhibit distinct characteristics and clinical outcomes.