Implantable left ventricular assist devices: an evolving long-term cardiac replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The authors' 8-year experience with both inpatient and outpatient left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is presented to show the possibilities and limitations of long-term outpatient mechanical circulatory assistance. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The limitation of suitable cardiac donors has led to the use of LVADs as a temporizing measure for patients awaiting cardiac transplantation. The success of such devices in the short and medium term as a bridge to transplantation has led to their evaluation as a long-term destination therapy for end-stage heart disease.
METHODS: Between August 1990 and February 1997, 85 patients with end-stage heart disease underwent insertion of implantable LVADs. Fifty-two patients underwent pneumatic device insertion and 32 patients received a vented electric device.
RESULTS: Patients were supported for a mean of 109+/-13 days for an overall survival to transplant (54) or explant (3) of 73%. Nineteen patients were discharged from the hospital on a mean of postoperative day 41+/-4 (range, 17-68) for an outpatient support time of 108+/-30 days (range, 2-466). Of 12 patients supported after postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, 10 (82%) survived to hospital discharge. Perioperative right ventricular failure was treated in most patients with inotropic agents and inhaled nitric oxide with only six patients requiring right ventricular assist device support. Thromboembolic rate was low (0.016 events/patient-month) despite minimal or no anticoagulation in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular assist device support has evolved to become an outpatient therapy with excellent survival rates and an acceptable morbidity. Accordingly, wearable LVADs should be studied as permanent treatment options for patients who are not transplant candidates.