Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 58: S194-S197
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240740
Originals

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Limitations Of High Urgency Listing – Ventricular Assist Device Support in a Neonate for 452 Days

S. R. B. Schneider1 , H. H. Scheld1 , A. Hoffmeier1 , G. Drees1 , A. Rukosujew1 , D. Stege2 , S. Klotz1 , J. R. Sindermann1
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
  • 2Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
25 January 2010 (online)

Abstract

The Eurotransplant International Foundation in Leiden, the Netherlands, is responsible for mediation and allocation of organ donation procedures to its member countries Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Slovenia. To provide organs for the patients who require urgent transplantation, the “high urgent (HU)” status was introduced in 2001 in Germany [1]. This new HU allocation system is applicable to neonates as well as adults. However, waiting times on HU status exceed several weeks to months. Therefore an increasing number of pediatric patients has to undergo implantation of a ventricular assist device (VAD) [2]. In the present report we discuss the current Eurotransplant heart allocation system for pediatric heart transplantation in the light of a neonate with 452 days on mechanical support. We compare the average waiting time of patients on HU status at our center and their outcome in 2007 and 2008 (Data obtained from Eurotransplant International Foundation). Waiting time on HU status in our center increased significantly from 2007 to 2008. Therefore more patients require VAD support as bridging to transplantation. The case of a neonate under long-term VAD support is an outstanding example of the negative effects of this development.

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Stefan R. B. Schneider, MD

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
University Hospital Muenster

Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 33

48149 Muenster

Germany

Phone: + 49 25 18 34 74 01

Fax: + 49 25 18 34 83 16

Email: stefan.schneider@ukmuenster.de