Mechanical circulatory support: lessons from a single centre.
Over recent years, a number of different mechanical circulatory support (MCS) products have been developed to a stage where they are no longer investigational devices. Registry data provide some information, but this is limited by the mix of historical and contemporary data and the voluntary nature of the contributions. As yet, there are no clear guidelines for patient selection, the differential application of generically different devices or for optimal patient management. Ours is a busy centre offering a comprehensive cardiovascular service. This review details our experience since 1987 and 189 patients supported with five different types of device, used in all of the common applications. Our experience has permitted the formulation of some general principles and guidelines. Data published by registries and by individual manufacturers are, as yet, not standardized. We hope that our experience will be of interest to those centres wishing to establish a mechanical assist service.
el-Banayosy
A
A
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Centre North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
Posival
H
H
Minami
K
K
Arusoglu
L
L
Kizner
L
L
Breymann
T
T
Seifert
D
D
Körner
M M
MM
Körtke
H
H
Fey
O
O
Körfer
R
R
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001243:Assisted Circulation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome