Pediatr Cardiol. 2025 Sep 11. doi: 10.1007/s00246-025-04022-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Two previously healthy infants presented with severely dilated left ventricles (LV) and severely diminished left ventricular function. Their initial ECGs demonstrated a left bundle branch block (LBBB) with evidence of dyskinetic septal wall motion on serial echocardiograms. Both were supported with a Berlin Heart EXCOR left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Serial LVAD turn down trials demonstrated improvement in LV function, though with ongoing pronounced septal dyskinesis due to the LBBB. Both underwent successful LVAD explantation with simultaneous epicardial lead placement for biventricular cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) given the ongoing dyssynchrony. LVAD explantation in this age group is rare. These cases highlight CRT as a strategy which may aid in the successful explant of ventricular assist devices in select patients who have LBBB and evidence of dyssynchrony by echocardiogram.
PMID:40932626 | DOI:10.1007/s00246-025-04022-0
