Morbidity and Outcome After Mechanical Ventricular Support Using Thoratec, Novacor, and HeartMate for Bridging to Heart Transplantation

Abstract

Between September 1989 and June 1999, 228 patients were supported with a ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation. In this study, the results of implantation were evaluated in patients supported with one type of device, including 85 supported with a Thoratec, 61 with a Novacor, and 37 with a HeartMate. The mean support time was 49, 148, and 124 days, respectively. Successful transplantation and weaning rates were 64. 7% with Thoratec, 59.0% with Novacor, and 62.0% with HeartMate. Cerebral embolism and drive-line and pocket infection were major causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. We recommended that a Thoratec system be employed as a bridge to heart transplantation for patients with biventricular heart failure, and that a Novacor or HeartMate system be implanted in patients requiring a long-term circulatory support.

Mechanical circulatory support for fulminant myocarditis

“…The survival rate associated with fulminant myocarditis has been increasing with advances in various systems of MCS. 3 Methods of VAB such as percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are generally considered as the fi rst choice in MCS for fulminant myocarditis in Japan. 4 Although VAB is economical and therefore readily available, it is associated with problems such as ischemic complications in the lower limbs.…”

Ventricular Assist Devices and Total Artificial Hearts

“…Other BTT trials have also reported a high incidence of infection (72). In the ISHLT database, the incidence of postoperative infection was 32.5% (41).…”

Cardiac Compression Devices: Alternative Technology and Innovative Concept

“…This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited. 50% of the time; however, this rate decreases as the experience with device implantation grows (16,17). About 50% of patients require reoperation for bleeding, while death due to bleeding was reported to be in the range of 0 to 15% (17,18).…”

“…50% of the time; however, this rate decreases as the experience with device implantation grows (16,17). About 50% of patients require reoperation for bleeding, while death due to bleeding was reported to be in the range of 0 to 15% (17,18). Infection is another serious complication and the primary cause of death in long-term LVAD patients.…”