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Implantation of the Left Ventricular Assist Device
Author(s) -
KLEPETKO W.,
WOLNER ERNST
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8191.1987.tb00170.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ventricular assist device , heart failure , heart transplantation , extracorporeal , artificial heart , implant , transplantation , cardiology , surgery , cardiac surgery , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Development of mechanical devices for support of the failing heart is a major goal in cardiac surgery. The application of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a promising approach in the case of severe and otherwise untreatable cardiac failure. In our experience we have used two external centrifugal pumps for the extracorporeal biventricular cardiac support in a post‐transplantation patient who experienced severe rejection six months after heart transplantation. Our own series includes a total of ten implantations of LVAD's with six patients who could be weaned from the device but only one long‐term survivor. The clinical results are not encouraging which suggests that the heart of the patient who needs an LVAD has been damaged beyond any chance for later recovery. Obviously timing is the most crucial aspect of the decision to implant the device. It would appear that orthotopic implantation of the transplanted heart remains the method of definitive treatment.