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Improved Early Survival with the Total Artificial Heart
Author(s) -
Haddad Michel,
Masters Roy G.,
Hendry Paul J.,
Mesana Thierry,
Haddad Haissam,
Davies Ross A.,
Mussivand Tofy V.,
Struthers Christine,
Keon Wilbert J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2004.47335.x
Subject(s) - medicine , artificial heart , rehabilitation , surgery , heart transplantation , group b , transplantation , physical therapy
We report our experience with the total artificial heart (TAH) to determine if outcomes have improved. Thirty‐one patients received the TAH as a bridge to transplant and were divided into the two groups A (eighteen implanted in the first eight years) and B (thirteen implanted in the last eight years). Changes in management included immediate sternal closure, early extubation, delayed transplant listing, early rehabilitation, and measurement of preformed antibodies. The infection rate in B was lower than in A, both during support (31% versus 39%) and following transplant (38% versus 72%), and rejection was lower in B than in A (0% versus 44%). There was no difference in neurological events between groups; however, reopening was more frequent in B (61% versus 28%). Hospital survival increased from 61% in A to 85% in B; however, this was not statistically significant. We hypothesize that this improvement was likely due to changes in patient management.