Continuous axial-flow left ventricular assist device (Jarvik 2000) maintains kidney and liver perfusion for up to 6 months.
BACKGROUND
The Jarvik 2000 axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), under development for the past decade, has the potential to support patients temporarily until cardiac transplantation or as a permanent circulatory support, without the size limitations of other implantable systems.


METHODS
To assess its ability to perfuse the kidneys and liver, we monitored renal and hepatic function in 10 patients who received the Jarvik 2000 LVAD as a bridge to transplantation. Left ventricular assistance was maintained for up to 214 days (> 6 months), and renal and hepatic function were monitored at least weekly.


RESULTS
Renal function before LVAD implantation in these patients was normal in 7 (creatinine, < 1.5) and moderately impaired in 3 (creatinine, 1.2 to 2.0). Hepatic function was normal in 7 patients before LVAD implantation (total bilirubin< 1.2; serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), < 40; serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), < 50) and normal at the time of transplantation in all 10 patients. Of the 3 patients with abnormal hepatic function before LVAD implantation, 1 patient had also had moderate renal dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite reduced pulsatility, the Jarvik 2000 LVAD improves or maintains excellent renal and hepatic function during periods of circulatory assistance in patients awaiting transplantation.
Letsou
George V
GV
Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, and The University of Texas Medical School, Texas, Houston 77030, USA. george.v.letsou@uth.tmc.edu
Myers
Timothy J
TJ
Gregoric
Igor D
ID
Delgado
Reynolds
R
Shah
Nyma
N
Robertson
Kimberly
K
Radovancevic
Branislav
B
Frazier
O H
OH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000628:therapy; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013997:Time Factors
D003404:Creatinine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin