Long-term bridge to transplantation with the Symbion acute ventricular assist device system.
A 48-year-old man was supported for 164 days with Symbion biventricular assist devices. During that time, his cytotoxic antibody screen fell from 97% positivity to less than 10%, enabling cardiac transplantation. Complications during the implantation included a 3-minute episode of amaurosis fugax, one positive blood culture, and anemia, which responded to decreased frequency of blood drawing. He is now alive 7 months after transplantation.
Lick
S
S
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson.
Copeland
J G
JG
Rosado
L J
LJ
Sethi
G
G
Smith
R G
RG
Cleavinger
M
M
D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors