First North American Experience with the Berlin Heart Active Driver

For smaller pediatric patients on ventricular assist devices (VADs), 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 battery life up to 13 hours. We describe the first North American experience with the EXCOR® Active in pediatric patients with a Berlin Heart device. Retrospective chart review was undertaken. Between Oct/2022 to Mar/2024, seven 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 (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 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 quality of life in pediatric patients waiting for heart transplantation.