Identifying Gaps in Technology for Congenital Interventions: Analysis of a Needs Survey from Congenital Interventional Cardiologists

We carried out a device-needs survey to evaluate the gaps in device and equipment availability for congenital interventional cardiologists. As the complexity and demand for more complete solutions to congenital heart lesions increase, there is a growing need for modification and development of devices and equipment to support this endeavor. The survey was sent out via e-mail to members of the Congenital Cardiovascular Interventional Study Consortium and the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions with a reach of over 350 congenital interventionalists. Responses were received from 68 cardiologists in 8 countries. In terms of the most desired device, 41 % ranked bioresorbable stents as their first choice from a list of 12 possible devices. Similarly, 23 % ranked large covered stents as their first choice. Twenty-seven percent of participants believed bioresorbable stents would have the greatest potential to improve morbidity of their patients, with another 27 % reporting that covered stents would have the greatest impact. Fifty percent of participants reported that they would like to see large covered stents available in their country. These data point toward a perceived need for the development/approval of bioresorbable stents for the pediatric age group, as well as the need to approve the use of large covered stents in the pediatric age group in the USA.