Successful cardiac transplantation after 4 cases of DeBakey left ventricular assist device failure.
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an established surgical therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Major disadvantages of these devices are thromboembolic events, bleeding complications, infections, and malfunctions. We report on our experiences with DeBakey LVAD malfunctions requiring LVAD exchange in 4 patients. All patients underwent subsequent cardiac transplantation and are doing well now.
Christiansen
Stefan
S
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany. schristiansen@ukaachen.de
Van Aken
Hugo
H
Breithardt G
Günther
G
Scheld
Hans-Heinrich
HH
Hammel
Dieter
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000601:surgery*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left