There is good news for those on the waiting list for heart transplants.  Results of a study published in Cardiovascular Surgery Supplement of Circulation report that researchers have developed miniature pumps, also known as ventricular assist devices to help those in need of immediate heart transplants. 

According to Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), there is a long waiting list of over 250-children aged 17 and under waiting to undergo heart transplant surgery.  Which is why, researchers have developed miniature pumps, known as ventricular assist devices to bridge the gap between a suitable organ donation and transplant surgery.

The study says these miniature hearts, small enough to fit inside a patient’s body, have been successfully used in children under 5-years, as they take some of the burden from damaged hearts by acting like alternate hearts and boosting blood circulation.  The device has helped keep alive eight out of nine critically ill children aged 12 days - 17 years, till such time as a donated organ became available.  Only the youngest patient died as a result of kidney damage that worsened after surgery to install the device.  Treated at Saint Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri, the children used the device known as Excor for two months before receiving transplants and, are reported to be doing well.

Though the device has already been approved in Europe and other parts of the world, it remains unavailable in USA. Dr. Sanjay Gandhi, study author at Saint Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri says the market for them is quite small and further clinical trials need to be conducted.

Heart GmbH, Thoratec Corp., World Heart Corp., Ventracor Ltd. and HeartWare Ltd. are some of the firms who manufacture these miniature heart pumps.

Image Source: strath.ac.uk