Gamified Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in a Child Undergoing LVAD Bridging Therapy to Heart Transplantation: A Case Report.
X, S., J, Z., J, L., X, T., & W, J. (2026). Gamified Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in a Child Undergoing LVAD Bridging Therapy to Heart Transplantation: A Case Report.. Nursing in critical care. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.70657
X S, J Z, J L, X T, W J. Gamified Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in a Child Undergoing LVAD Bridging Therapy to Heart Transplantation: A Case Report.. Nursing in critical care. 2026; doi: 10.1111/nicc.70657
X S, J Z, J L, et al. Gamified Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in a Child Undergoing LVAD Bridging Therapy to Heart Transplantation: A Case Report.[J]. Nursing in critical care. 2026. DOI: 10.1111/nicc.70657.
@article{x2026,
author = {Shan X and Zhu J and Li J and Tang X and Jiang W},
title = {Gamified Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in a Child Undergoing LVAD Bridging Therapy to Heart Transplantation: A Case Report.},
journal = {Nursing in critical care},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1111/nicc.70657},
note = {PMID: 42638341},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Shan X AU - Zhu J AU - Li J AU - Tang X AU - Jiang W TI - Gamified Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in a Child Undergoing LVAD Bridging Therapy to Heart Transplantation: A Case Report. T2 - Nursing in critical care PY - 2026 DO - 10.1111/nicc.70657 AN - PMID:42638341 ER -
This report details the comprehensive, gamified cardiopulmonary rehabilitation of a 6-year-old girl undergoing a complex clinical journey from left ventricular assist device (LVAD) bridge therapy to successful heart transplantation. Given the paucity of standardised protocols for this high-risk population, a structured, multidisciplinary team (MDT)-guided pathway was implemented, adapting interventions to the distinct phases of LVAD support and post-transplant recovery. Key nursing and rehabilitation strategies included initiating very early mobilisation in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) with meticulous safety precautions for the LVAD driveline and post-sternotomy incision, implementing a tiered programme of play-based respiratory training games to improve pulmonary function, and guiding the patient through a progressive, gamified exercise regimen encompassing low-intensity aerobic games and combined resistance-aerobic training. Throughout, continuous risk monitoring and dynamic adjustment based on haemodynamic and device-specific parameters were paramount. This individualised, phased approach effectively improved the patient's cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength and exercise tolerance. She was discharged on postoperative Day 44 with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 69%, NYHA Class I cardiac function, grade 5 muscle strength and a 6-min walk distance of 260 m, without rehabilitation-related adverse events. This case demonstrates a feasible and effective model for rehabilitating paediatric patients across the challenging continuum from mechanical circulatory support to heart transplantation. This case provides a structured, reproducible framework for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in paediatric patients transitioning from LVAD support to heart transplantation. It emphasises the necessity of phase-adapted interventions, rigorous safety monitoring and the integration of gamification to enhance engagement and outcomes, offering practical guidance for nurses and therapists in this specialised field.