Insights from continued use of a Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System for a period of 6 years.
We report a patient supported with the Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System for more than 6 years and chronicle his progress as an illustration of the clinical, practical, and emotional challenges of this therapy and the benefits of an intervention that can return a morbidly ill patient to an essentially normal lifestyle. This experience underlines the importance of patient selection, optimal timing of intervention, and the potential impact of psychologic issues on outcome.
Faggian
Giuseppe
G
Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy. giuseppe.faggian@univr.it
Santini
Francesco
F
Franchi
Gianluigi
G
Portner
Peer M
PM
Mazzucco
Alessandro
A
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology