title: Bridging to cardiac transplantation.
abstract: Unilateral or bilateral prosthetic ventricles and artificial hearts have been used in bridging to transplantation for 4 years. Candidates for bridging to transplantation comprise patients who otherwise would be elective cardiac transplantation candidates who deteriorate rapidly before a donor heart can be found, or persons with sudden cardiac decompensation (eg, massive myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock). In selecting patients for bridging to cardiac transplantation it is crucial that people are chosen who are good candidates for heart transplantation despite their rapidly deteriorating condition. This article compares the results of the devices available for use in this application, which include: the centrifugal pump; the Jarvik-7 orthotopic prosthetic ventricle; and the Thoratec, Novacor, and Thermedics heterotopic prosthetic ventricles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94115.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006354:Heart, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis