Heart failure & cardiomyopathies

Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of a Novel Active Driving System for Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support

J Am Coll CardiolPublished Prospective multicenter clinical trial

Authors' conclusion

This novel active driving system demonstrated excellent safety and reliability in a real-world, high-risk pediatric population, with no major device malfunctions.

Study context

Population
Pediatric patients with HF supported with the Berlin Heart EXCOR Pediatric VAD using the EXCOR Active Driver
Participants
40 vs 118
Exposure
Investigational device exemption vs Continued access protocol
  • Investigational device exemptionn = 40
  • Continued access protocoln = 118
Outcome
Major device malfunction, adverse events, and successful outcome (survival to transplantation, recovery, or continued support)
Follow-up
90 days postimplantation
Methodological detailsmulticentre, single-arm, investigational device exemption, continued access protocol, Adverse events adjudicated by an independent Clinical Events Committee; DSMB oversight
  • Multicentre
  • Single-arm
  • Investigational device exemption
  • Continued access protocol
  • Adverse events adjudicated by an independent Clinical Events Committee; DSMB oversight

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Major device malfunction, AEs and successful outcome (survival to transplantation, recovery or continued support)
GroupMajor device malfunctionRemained on supportTransplantationConverted to another support modalityExplanted for recoveryStroke90-day mortality
Investigational device exemption065%17.5%15.0%1 patient12.5%0%

Investigational device exemption

Major device malfunction0
Remained on support65%
Transplantation17.5%
Converted to another support modality15.0%
Explanted for recovery1 patient
Stroke12.5%
90-day mortality0%
Survival at 90 days, continued access protocol
98.1%

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Status at data abstraction, continued access protocol · time of data abstraction

Transplantation
37% (n = 44)
Alive on device
31% (n = 37)
Explanted for recovery
6% (n = 7)
Converted to another support modality
23% (n = 27)
Withdrawal of support
3 patients

Safety

OutcomeValues
StrokeIDE 12.5%

Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.

Original publication

Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of a Novel Active Driving System for Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 6 May 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2026.03.080

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