title: Clinical responses to ventricular assistance versus transplantation in a series of bridge to transplant patients.
abstract: Hemodynamic and peripheral organ responses to ventricular assistance were compared with transplantation in a cohort of patients bridged with the HeartMate 1000 IP left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (Thermo Cardiosystems Inc., Woburn, MA). The study population included 27 patients that were supported an average of 102 days (range, 15-324 days). Two hepatic (total bilirubin and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) and two renal (creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]) parameters were measured: 1) before LVAD insertion, 2) 30 and 60 days during ventricular assistance, 3) before transplantation while still on the VAD, and 4) 30 and 60 days after transplantation. Total bilirubin values were significantly greater just before LVAD implant (2.3 mg/dl) than before transplantation (0.7 mg/dl). Although there was no difference after 30 days of either treatment, the total bilirubin values were greater at 60 days after transplantation (1.1 mg/dl) than at an equivalent time on the LVAD (0.6 mg/dl). The SGOT values were also significantly reduced before transplantation. No differences at 30 and 60 days after either procedure were noticed. Creatinine and BUN values were greater before LVAD implant (1.7 and 37 mg/dl) than before transplantation (1.2 and 19 mg/dl). The creatinine values were also greater after transplantation at 30 and 60 days (2.0 and 1.6 mg/dl) than at comparable intervals after LVAD implantation (1.0 and 1.2 mg/dl), presumably as a result of the use of immunosuppressive drugs. End organ function was markedly improved while on the device, enhancing the physiologic status of the patients before transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc., Woburn, Massachusetts 01888.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dasse
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lesniak
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Poirier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged