For smaller pediatric patients on ventricular assist devices, the Berlin Heart EXCOR remains the main form of durable support. It requires a connection to the external IKUS, which has limited portability and battery life. The new EXCOR Active mobile driving unit has a battery life of up to 13 hours. We describe the first North American experience with the EXCOR Active in pediatric patients with a Berlin Heart device. A retrospective chart review was undertaken. Between October 2022 and March 2024, 7 patients were on a Berlin Heart and supported with the EXCOR Active. All patients were initially supported with the IKUS with a median time to transition to the EXCOR Active of 12.0 days (interquartile range [IQR] 9.5, 18.5) and a median time of support with the EXCOR Active of 65.0 days (IQR, 32.0, 81.0). The EXCOR Active posed no significant safety issues, and minimal operating issues were noted. Following the transition from IKUS to the EXCOR Active, there was increased patient and caregiver mobility throughout the hospital. Use of the EXCOR Active has the potential to improve the quality of life in pediatric patients waiting for heart transplantation.
Keywords: Berlin Heart EXCOR; active mobile driving unit; mechanical circulatory support; pediatrics; quality of life.
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