OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) as bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) in patients with end-stage heart failure. METHOD: Between March 1993 and December 2001, 38 patients with refractory end-stage heart failure underwent HeartMate LVAD (Thoratec, Pleasanton Calif.) implantation. RESULTS: A total of 33 of the 38 patients (87%) survived the implantation and perioperative period. There were five perioperative deaths (13%), two due to right ventricular failure, two as a result of bleeding and one probably due to septic shock at the time of LVAD implantation. Three patients (9%) died late in the postoperative period due to septic shock, mechanical failure of the device and a cerebral embolus resulting from LVAD endocarditis, initiated by an acute cholecystitis. Twelve patients (32%) had one or more infectious episodes during long-term assist, of which one patient died. Four patients are still on the device, waiting for a heart transplantation. Twenty-six patients (76%) underwent HTx after 206±129 days of support. CONCLUSION: These results show the efficacy of LVAD support as a bridge to heart transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. Major long-term complications are infections and mechanical failure of the device.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) as bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) in patients with end-stage heart failure. METHOD: Between March 1993 and December 2001, 38 patients with refractory end-stage heart failure underwent HeartMate LVAD (Thoratec, Pleasanton Calif.) implantation. RESULTS: A total of 33 of the 38 patients (87%) survived the implantation and perioperative period. There were five perioperative deaths (13%), two due to right ventricular failure, two as a result of bleeding and one probably due to septic shock at the time of LVAD implantation. Three patients (9%) died late in the postoperative period due to septic shock, mechanical failure of the device and a cerebral embolus resulting from LVAD endocarditis, initiated by an acute cholecystitis. Twelve patients (32%) had one or more infectious episodes during long-term assist, of which one patient died. Four patients are still on the device, waiting for a heart transplantation. Twenty-six patients (76%) underwent HTx after 206±129 days of support. CONCLUSION: These results show the efficacy of LVAD support as a bridge to heart transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. Major long-term complications are infections and mechanical failure of the device.
Entities:
Keywords:
heart failure; heart transplantation; left ventricular assist devices
Authors: E A Rose; A C Gelijns; A J Moskowitz; D F Heitjan; L W Stevenson; W Dembitsky; J W Long; D D Ascheim; A R Tierney; R G Levitan; J T Watson; P Meier; N S Ronan; P A Shapiro; R M Lazar; L W Miller; L Gupta; O H Frazier; P Desvigne-Nickens; M C Oz; V L Poirier Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2001-11-15 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: B E Jaski; R J Lingle; J Kim; K R Branch; R Goldsmith; M R Johnson; J R Lahpor; T B Icenogle; I Piña; R Adamson; L K Favrot; W P Dembitsky Journal: J Heart Lung Transplant Date: 1999-11 Impact factor: 10.247
Authors: P M McCarthy; N O Smedira; R L Vargo; M Goormastic; R E Hobbs; R C Starling; J B Young Journal: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Date: 1998-04 Impact factor: 5.209
Authors: T W Prendergast; B A Todd; A J Beyer; S Furukawa; H J Eisen; V P Addonizio; B J Browne; V Jeevanandam Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 1997-07 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: A El-Banayosy; L Arusoglu; L Kizner; G Tenderich; K Minami; K Inoue; R Körfer Journal: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Date: 2000-03 Impact factor: 5.209
Authors: R V Pruijsten; N de Jonge; J H Kirkels; C Klöpping; P A F M Doevendans; A Oosterom; H Kemperman; J R Lahpor Journal: Neth Heart J Date: 2008-02 Impact factor: 2.380
Authors: N de Jonge; J H Kirkels; C Klöpping; J R Lahpor; K Caliskan; A P W M Maat; J Brügemann; M E Erasmus; R J M Klautz; H F Verwey; A Oomen; C H Peels; A E J Golüke; D Nicastia; M A C Koole; A H M M Balk Journal: Neth Heart J Date: 2008 Impact factor: 2.380
Authors: A Oosterom; N de Jonge; J H Kirkels; B F M Rodermans; E Sukkel; C Klöpping; F Ramjankhan; J R Lahpor Journal: Neth Heart J Date: 2007 Impact factor: 2.380