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JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM

Improving Medication Adherence and Clinical Outcomes After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
 Improving Medication Adherence and Clinical Outcomes After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A clinical trial is evaluating the acceptability and efficacy of a mobile app in improving medication adherence, symptoms and clinical outcomes in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell patients. A research team led by Micah Skeens, PhD, APRN, FAAN, principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute, assistant professor of pediatrics…

Quality Improvement Approach Reduces Pediatric Asthma Emergency Department Visits by 33%
 Quality Improvement Approach Reduces Pediatric Asthma Emergency Department Visits by 33% 770 513 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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With institutional support, a primary care-based quality improvement initiative markedly reduced asthma-related emergency department visits for children with asthma. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital implemented a quality improvement (QI) project that reduced pediatric asthma emergency department (ED) visits by 33% from 2010 to 2019. Stephen Hersey, MD, a pediatrician in Nationwide Children’s section of primary…

Acute Kidney Injury After Comprehensive Stage Two Palliation in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
 Acute Kidney Injury After Comprehensive Stage Two Palliation in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who undergo the Hybrid pathway palliation commonly develop acute kidney injury after the comprehensive stage 2 procedure and may require advanced medical therapy.   In a recent Cardiology in the Young publication, Andrew Yates, MD, associate medical director for the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and…

Frequency of Pediatric Encounters Predicts Timely Transfer to Adult Care for Youth With Autism
 Frequency of Pediatric Encounters Predicts Timely Transfer to Adult Care for Youth With Autism 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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For adolescents and young adults with autism, the total number of pediatric appointments is strongly correlated with a timely transfer to adult care, while the reason for this correlation remains to be elucidated.   In a recent study, Laura Hart, MD, a pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and her research team reported a strong correlation…

Increasing Same-Day Amoxicillin Graded Dose Challenges
 Increasing Same-Day Amoxicillin Graded Dose Challenges 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A quality improvement initiative overcomes several barriers to de-labeling penicillin allergies. In a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, a research team led by Margaret Redmond, MD, a pediatric allergist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, reported on a quality improvement (QI) initiative that sustainably increased rates of same-day amoxicillin graded…

Recognizing the Benefits of Music and Massage Co-therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care
 Recognizing the Benefits of Music and Massage Co-therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care 1024 680 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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For adolescent patients in home-based pediatric palliative care, co-treatment with music therapy and massage therapy benefits both the patients and their families. A case study recently published in Music & Medicine reported the benefits of co-treatment with music therapy and massage therapy for a patient in home-based pediatric palliative care. Complementary therapies, such as music…

Exploring the Clinical Journey of Children With Primary Hyperoxaluria
 Exploring the Clinical Journey of Children With Primary Hyperoxaluria 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Children with primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic disease, navigate a complicated clinical journey that includes a heavy reliance on health care services and usage of multidisciplinary care. Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare disease caused by genetic mutations of enzymes that regulate hepatic glyoxylate metabolism, leading to oxalate overproduction. The excess oxalate is excreted by…

Exploring Disordered Eating Beyond Binge Eating in Youth with Obesity
 Exploring Disordered Eating Beyond Binge Eating in Youth with Obesity 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Youth with obesity can suffer from various disordered eating behaviors beyond binge eating. A holistic approach to caring for these youth can help improve their long-term physical and psychological health outcomes. A literature review recently published in Nutrients shed light on eating disorders beyond binge eating in youth with obesity. In this review, Eileen Chaves,…

Evaluating Chronic Constipation and Abnormal Colonic Motility in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Evaluating Chronic Constipation and Abnormal Colonic Motility in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder 1024 680 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Close up color photo of little boy holding hands on his belly

In children with chronic constipation, rates of abnormal colonic motility are similar between children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For children with ASD, symptom duration and soiling due to fecal retention are risk factors for abnormal colonic motility.   Treating constipation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is challenging because of feeding…

Preterm Birth Increases Health Vulnerabilities of Babies With Down Syndrome
 Preterm Birth Increases Health Vulnerabilities of Babies With Down Syndrome 1024 624 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Babies with Down syndrome who are born preterm have higher prenatal morbidity and mortality rates than those in babies with Down syndrome born at term, suggesting pediatricians can lower their risk threshold for certain screenings or interventions. Compared with age-matched neonates without Down syndrome, babies with Down syndrome are more likely to experience developmental delay,…

Reducing Opioid Prescriptions for Common Pediatric Urologic Procedures
 Reducing Opioid Prescriptions for Common Pediatric Urologic Procedures 1024 682 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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smiling baby being held up by an adult

To address the national opioid epidemic, clinician-scientists developed a quality improvement initiative to achieve significant, long-term reductions in opioid prescriptions after common pediatric urologic procedures.   Opioids are commonly prescribed for pediatric urologic procedures. However, studies have reported a troubling practice of overprescribing opioids in pediatric health, contributing to the ongoing opioid epidemic. “There is…

Addressing the Clinical Challenges of Caring for Children with Cystic Fibrosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Addressing the Clinical Challenges of Caring for Children with Cystic Fibrosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A recent study sheds light on the unique clinical challenges faced by children with cystic fibrosis and autism spectrum disorder and offers potential solutions to these challenges.   Cystic fibrosis (CF) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pose significant clinical and emotional burdens to patients and their families. A concurrent CF-ASD diagnosis presents even greater challenges, but…

Quality Improvement in Primary Care Improves Dental Utilization and Oral Health Outcomes in Children
 Quality Improvement in Primary Care Improves Dental Utilization and Oral Health Outcomes in Children 1024 680 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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toddler brushing teeth

Quality improvement provides an effective, standardized approach to increasing pediatric dental utilization and improving oral health outcomes in primary care settings. According to a recent study by pediatric dentist David Danesh, DMD, MPH, MS, and his research team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, children receiving fluoride varnish at medical practices with an oral health quality improvement…

Low-Resource Screening Tool Demonstrates Superior Predictive Value for Cerebral Palsy in Infants
 Low-Resource Screening Tool Demonstrates Superior Predictive Value for Cerebral Palsy in Infants 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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The use of lower-resource screening tools for cerebral palsy in infants can help increase early detection of the condition and promote access to early interventions.   A recent study reported that the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), when compared with the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), had the better predictive value for detecting cerebral…

Bowel Management Program Improves Urinary Symptoms Associated with Pediatric Functional Constipation
 Bowel Management Program Improves Urinary Symptoms Associated with Pediatric Functional Constipation 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A one-week bowel management program can significantly improve urinary symptoms in children with functional constipation, possibly eliminating the need for extensive urologic testing. Molly Fuchs, MD, a urologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and her research team recently demonstrated that a bowel management program (BMP) significantly improved urinary symptoms in children with functional constipation. Functional constipation…

Examining Pediatric Injury-Related Emergency Department Vistis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
 Examining Pediatric Injury-Related Emergency Department Vistis During the COVID-19 Pandemic 480 320 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of pediatric injury-related visits to the emergency department decreased, while injury severity increased. The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions not only on a global scale but also for individuals, particularly children. Pandemic-related closures of school and extracurricular activities significantly impacted the daily routines of children and…

Significant Weight Gain Observed in Low-Income Youth During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic
 Significant Weight Gain Observed in Low-Income Youth During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Low-income youth experienced significant weight gain during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for simultaneous childhood obesity prevention and treatment.   The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mitigation efforts profoundly affected children. Specifically, remote learning and cancellation of extracurricular activities disrupted children’s daily routines and reduced opportunities for physical activity, increasing…

Predicting Disease Severity and Assessing Long-Term Outcomes of Pediatric La Crosse Virus
 Predicting Disease Severity and Assessing Long-Term Outcomes of Pediatric La Crosse Virus 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Limited data exist on mosquito-borne La Crosse Virus in children, underscoring the importance of determining which patients are at risk for severe disease and long-term neurobehavioral difficulties.   La Crosse Virus (LACV) is a neuroinvasive arbovirus spread by the Aedes triseriatus mosquito, causing symptoms such as vomiting, seizures and altered mental status (AMS). Within the…

How Do Children With IBD and Their Caregivers Perceive Biosimilars?
 How Do Children With IBD and Their Caregivers Perceive Biosimilars? 640 427 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Many pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease and their caregivers are unaware of biosimilars, creating an opportunity for providers to educate patients and their families about this effective and less expensive treatment option. Infliximab is a biologic therapy that effectively manages inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in adult and pediatric patients. However, biologic therapies are expensive,…

Hydroxyurea Dose and Adherence Affect Hematologic Outcomes in Children With Sickle Cell Disease
 Hydroxyurea Dose and Adherence Affect Hematologic Outcomes in Children With Sickle Cell Disease 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Girl sitting on a bench with her phone smiling.

Optimal hydroxyurea dosing and medication adherence can improve hematologic outcomes for children with sickle cell anemia.   For pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia, hydroxyurea is highly effective at reducing disease complications. However, it can be challenging for these patients to take hydroxyurea for the long term. “There are many barriers to medication adherence in…

Perceptions About Type 2 Diabetes Differ Among Adolescent Patients, Parents and Physicians
 Perceptions About Type 2 Diabetes Differ Among Adolescent Patients, Parents and Physicians 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Differing perceptions about type 2 diabetes among teens, parents and physicians can create barriers to diagnosing and managing the disease.   Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is becoming increasingly prevalent in adolescents, with a median age of diagnosis of 13.5 years in the pediatric population. Managing pediatric T2D is challenging, given that traditional medical and non-medical…

Exploring the RNA Cargo of Extracellular Vesicles in Malignant Pediatric Brain Tumors
 Exploring the RNA Cargo of Extracellular Vesicles in Malignant Pediatric Brain Tumors 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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The RNA cargo within the extracellular vesicles of medulloblastoma and diffuse infiltrative pontine glioma can provide valuable insight into diagnosing and treating these malignant pediatric brain tumors. Recent studies have shed light on extracellular vesicles’ ability to use their cargo, which includes small noncoding RNA (ncRNA), to facilitate cell-to-cell communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from…

Self-Administered Electronic Assessment Tool Helps Clinicians Screen for Pediatric Bleeding Disorders
 Self-Administered Electronic Assessment Tool Helps Clinicians Screen for Pediatric Bleeding Disorders 1024 684 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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teen girl using cell phone

An electronic self-administered bleeding assessment tool is a time-saving measure to comprehensively evaluate a pediatric patient’s bleeding symptoms. Bleeding assessment tools (BATs), originally developed as research tools, are used clinically to comprehensively evaluate a patient’s bleeding symptoms. Along with clinical judgement, “BATs are used to discriminate between patients who do and do not have a…

Using Virtual Reality Games to Reduce Dressing Change Pain in Pediatric Burn Patients
 Using Virtual Reality Games to Reduce Dressing Change Pain in Pediatric Burn Patients 934 401 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Smartphone-based virtual reality games can reduce dressing change pain for pediatric patients receiving outpatient burn treatment. According to the American Burn Association, burn injuries affect approximately 250,000 children in the United States each year. The pain associated with burn injuries extends beyond the injury itself; there is also significant pain from dressing changes, which can…

Long-Term Treatment of Pediatric Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy with Pulse Oral Corticosteroid Therapy
 Long-Term Treatment of Pediatric Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy with Pulse Oral Corticosteroid Therapy 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Pediatric patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy can benefit from the safety and effectiveness of long-term pulse oral corticosteroid therapy. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) affects the peripheral nervous system in children, causing weakness, sensory loss and depressed tendon reflexes. Pediatric patients with this rare, immune-mediated disease often undergo years of immunomodulatory therapy, with the…

Increasing the Use of the Teach-Back Method in Asthma Education
 Increasing the Use of the Teach-Back Method in Asthma Education 1024 575 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Lisa Ulrich standing in hospital hallway

A standardized approach to asthma education using the teach-back method helps respiratory therapists effectively address common issues with asthma management in pediatric patients. For the 8% of children and adults in the United States who have asthma, effective asthma education is essential to adequate disease management. Unfortunately, written asthma action plans (AAP) alone may be…

What Puts Adolescent Patients With IBD at Risk for Suboptimal Transitions?
 What Puts Adolescent Patients With IBD at Risk for Suboptimal Transitions? 1024 673 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Psychosocial-related factors, such as mental health diagnoses and public insurance, have been shown to increase the risk of suboptimal transitions in adolescent patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Between ages 18 and 22, adolescent patients transition from pediatric to adult care. Ideally, at the time of transition, patients have the skills to manage their disease and…

Do Surgical Outcomes Differ Between Minimally Invasive Pyeloplasty Procedures in Treating Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction?
 Do Surgical Outcomes Differ Between Minimally Invasive Pyeloplasty Procedures in Treating Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction? 1024 575 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Dr. Jayanthi standing in OR

Minimally invasive pyeloplasty has become increasingly popular over open dismembered pyeloplasty, the traditional treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Robotic-assisted pyeloplasty (RALP) and laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) are minimally invasive procedures that produce smaller scars and less postoperative pain. These are advantages that appeal to parents of patients undergoing these procedures. In a recent Journal of Pediatric Urology publication, Rama…

Cerebral Organoids Provide Insight into Human Brain Development and Neurological Disease
 Cerebral Organoids Provide Insight into Human Brain Development and Neurological Disease 1024 575 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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microscopic image of brain organoid

Correlations between the neuroelectrical maturation and cellular development of cerebral organoids highlight the organoids’ translational and therapeutical potential in early neurodevelopmental disorders. Cerebral organoids are three-dimensional miniature organs that resemble the human brain. Derived from human pluripotent stem cells, cerebral organoids have emerged to advance stem cell research, improve three-dimensional tissue culture techniques and enhance…

Reducing Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients After Orthopedic Spine Surgery
 Reducing Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients After Orthopedic Spine Surgery 1024 575 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Julie Samora, MD

In pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic spine surgery, a step-wise bowel management plan can effectively reduce opioid-induced constipation and unplanned emergency department visits after surgery. Orthopedic spine surgery can generate pain in the immediate post-surgery period. Opioids are needed to mitigate this pain but commonly cause constipation and other gastrointestinal side effects. Opioid-induced constipation causes abdominal…

Diagnosing Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
 Diagnosing Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 1024 673 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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New adolescent-specific guidelines provide more precise guidance on diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescent females. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common female reproductive endocrine disorder, presents diagnostic challenges in adolescents, highlighting the need for adolescent-specific diagnostic guidelines for PCOS. “We can’t use the adult criteria for diagnosing adolescent PCOS,” says Andrea Bonny, MD, section chief…

Best Practices for Patient-Centered Contraception Counseling About the Etonogestrel Implant
 Best Practices for Patient-Centered Contraception Counseling About the Etonogestrel Implant 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Patient-centered, age-appropriate contraception counseling helps health care providers educate adolescents about the etonogestrel implant and other contraceptive methods. Preventing unplanned pregnancies in adolescents with effective and easy-to-use contraception is key to ensuring that adolescents do not become parents before they are ready. Nexplanon, the newest version of the etonogestrel (ENG) implant, is an increasingly popular…

Combining Multiple Surgical Procedures Helps Children With Patellar Instability Return to Normal Activities
 Combining Multiple Surgical Procedures Helps Children With Patellar Instability Return to Normal Activities 1024 575 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A four-in-one surgical procedure demonstrates effectiveness in treating pediatric lateral patellar instability and helping children return to their normal pre-surgical activities. Lateral patellar instability in the skeletally immature knee is a complex orthopedic condition with myriad treatment challenges. Classified as obligatory, fixed (congenital) or traumatic, pediatric knee instability can have painful consequences in late adolescence…

Improving the Care and Management of Urinary Tract Infections Through Collaboration
 Improving the Care and Management of Urinary Tract Infections Through Collaboration 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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The Urinary Tract Infection Global Alliance (UTIGA) is a new professional society that is dedicated to combatting the many challenges in UTI management and care through collaboration. With nearly 150 million people affected by urinary tract infections (UTIs) annually across the globe, UTIs are a major health problem. Both the term ‘UTI’ and the infection’s…

Privacy for the Vulnerable: Confidentiality in Adolescent Care
 Privacy for the Vulnerable: Confidentiality in Adolescent Care 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Confidentiality plays a critical role in adolescent care, yet can be difficult for providers to implement because of legal complexities and other challenges. Confidentiality is a critical component of adolescent medical care. As adolescents transition into adulthood, the opportunity to spend time alone with a health care provider fosters independence in discussing health issues, making…

Using Metrics to Improve the Delivery of Optimal Diabetes Care for Children With Type 1 Diabetes
 Using Metrics to Improve the Delivery of Optimal Diabetes Care for Children With Type 1 Diabetes 1024 575 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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The Type 1 Diabetes Care Index is a new metric that tracks the delivery of diabetes care, with the goal to reach zero missed opportunities to deliver quality care. The complexity and chronicity of pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D) necessitate a coordinated, multidisciplinary effort to effectively deliver the optimal standards of diabetes care, as outlined…

Optimized Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring Provides Real-Time Clinical and Diagnostic Benefits in Patients With Polyneuropathy
 Optimized Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring Provides Real-Time Clinical and Diagnostic Benefits in Patients With Polyneuropathy 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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New study reports that optimizing NIOM parameters can provide actionable, real-time data to protect the nervous system during surgery and facilitate diagnosis of previously unrecognized polyneuropathies. Neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring (NIOM) provides a multimodal approach to evaluating the nervous system’s functional integrity. Components of NIOM include sensory evoked potentials (SEP), which monitor the dorsal column sensory…

Study Supports Expanded Use of Ventricular Assist Devices in Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease
 Study Supports Expanded Use of Ventricular Assist Devices in Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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New multicenter study shows that the HeartMate3 ventricular assist device is associated with low morbidity and adverse events in pediatric patients with complex CHD. Ventricular assist devices (VADs), such as the HeartMate3 (HM3) continuous-flow VAD, provide critical heart function support in patients with advanced heart failure. Although design improvements in VADs have reduced complication rates…