Successful mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation.

With the progression of congestive heart failure, therapeutic options become fewer, and cardiac transplantation is the final option. The use of a left ventricular assist device improves the survival rate and quality of life in patients on the waiting list for transplantation. A 64-year-old man was successfully maintained on mechanical circulatory support with a left ventricular assist device for 502 days, as a bridge to transplantation.