Bridge to transplantation with the MicroMed DeBakey ventricular assist device axial pump: a single centre report

Abstract

In our experience with the continuous axial flow DeBakey VAD, a high success rate was obtained associated with a low risk of complications. All the patients tolerated continuous blood flow for extended periods that makes this device a valuable alternative to pulsatile VADs as a bridge to transplantation.

Choroidal Microcirculation in Patients With Rotary Cardiac Assist Device

“…21,22 However, later studies with improved pumps and more sophisticated protocols did not reproduce such severe symptoms. 23,24 This correlates with findings in long-term clinical studies, [1][2][3][4][25][26][27][28] where no clinical evidence of changes in end-organ microcirculation were observed. To our knowledge, no studies on microcirculation have been performed in patients with cardiac assist devices.…”

A Prospective, Multicenter Trial of the VentrAssist Left Ventricular Assist Device for Bridge to Transplant: Safety and Efficacy

“…4,5 The prevalence of CHF and the shortage of donor hearts have fueled the development of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), particularly for bridge-totransplant (BTT) purposes. [6][7][8] Nearly 80% of LVADs have been implanted as BTTs 9 and earlier fears of increased panel-reactive antibodies or post-BTT morbidity or mortality are no longer considered significant. 10 The VentrAssist is a novel, third-generation, continuous-flow LVAD designed to overcome earlier LVAD limitations such as size, noise, reliability and mechanical complexity.…”

Initial Clinical Experience With the VentrAssist Left Ventricular Assist Device: The Pilot Trial

“…In contrast to the initial clinical trials with other continuous flow devices, [13][14][15][16] we did not initially test the VA in a conventional BTT cohort. The excellent results achieved in the pre-clinical animal trials 9 gave us the confidence to test the device in a gravely ill DT patient cohort.…”