BACKGROUND: The Jarvik 2000 axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), under development for the past decade, has the potential to support patients temporarily until cardiac transplantation or as a permanent circulatory support, without the size limitations of other implantable systems. METHODS: To assess its ability to perfuse the kidneys and liver, we monitored renal and hepatic function in 10 patients who received the Jarvik 2000 LVAD as a bridge to transplantation. Left ventricular assistance was maintained for up to 214 days (> 6 months), and renal and hepatic function were monitored at least weekly. RESULTS: Renal function before LVAD implantation in these patients was normal in 7 (creatinine, < 1.5) and moderately impaired in 3 (creatinine, 1.2 to 2.0). Hepatic function was normal in 7 patients before LVAD implantation (total bilirubin< 1.2; serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), < 40; serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), < 50) and normal at the time of transplantation in all 10 patients. Of the 3 patients with abnormal hepatic function before LVAD implantation, 1 patient had also had moderate renal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reduced pulsatility, the Jarvik 2000 LVAD improves or maintains excellent renal and hepatic function during periods of circulatory assistance in patients awaiting transplantation.
BACKGROUND: The Jarvik 2000 axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), under development for the past decade, has the potential to support patients temporarily until cardiac transplantation or as a permanent circulatory support, without the size limitations of other implantable systems. METHODS: To assess its ability to perfuse the kidneys and liver, we monitored renal and hepatic function in 10 patients who received the Jarvik 2000 LVAD as a bridge to transplantation. Left ventricular assistance was maintained for up to 214 days (> 6 months), and renal and hepatic function were monitored at least weekly. RESULTS: Renal function before LVAD implantation in these patients was normal in 7 (creatinine, < 1.5) and moderately impaired in 3 (creatinine, 1.2 to 2.0). Hepatic function was normal in 7 patients before LVAD implantation (total bilirubin< 1.2; serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), < 40; serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), < 50) and normal at the time of transplantation in all 10 patients. Of the 3 patients with abnormal hepatic function before LVAD implantation, 1 patient had also had moderate renal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reduced pulsatility, the Jarvik 2000 LVAD improves or maintains excellent renal and hepatic function during periods of circulatory assistance in patients awaiting transplantation.
Authors: Aaron H Healy; Stephen H McKellar; Stavros G Drakos; Antigoni Koliopoulou; Josef Stehlik; Craig H Selzman Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2016-01-20 Impact factor: 2.192
Authors: Harveen K Lamba; Fadi I Musfee; Subhasis Chatterjee; Ajith P Nair; Andrew B Civitello; Leo Simpson; O H Frazier; George V Letsou Journal: Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg Date: 2022-02-21