Patients supported for over 4 years with left ventricular assist devices.
Ventricular assist device implantation has become an established therapy in adults and children for bridging to heart transplantation or to aid myocardial recovery. Recently, implantation of left ventricular assist devices as definitive therapy has been recognized as a better option than pharmacological treatment in patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation. This study presents our institution's experience with five patients successfully supported by two different left ventricular assist devices for over 4 years. This unique experience shows that left ventricular assist device support can be extended beyond 4 years with good quality of life and low risk, making it a good alternative for non-transplant candidates.
Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. potapov@dhzb.de
Evgenij V
EV
Potapov
Michael J
MJ
Jurmann
Thorsten
T
Drews
Miralem
M
Pasic
Matthias
M
Loebe
Yuguo
Y
Weng
Roland
R
Hetzer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000628:therapy*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged