Heartmate II axial-flow left ventricular assist system: management, clinical review and personal experience.
OBJECTIVE
The excellent results with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the treatment options for end-stage heart failure. The use of pulsatile devices is associated with significant comorbidity and limited durability. The axial-flow HeartMate II LVAD represents the new generation of devices. The clinical use of this pump resulted in superior outcomes. We review the HeartMate II technology, management, clinical usage and our experience.


METHODS
Between 3/2002 and 12/2008, 18 transplantable adult patients were supported on long-term HeartMate II LVAD at our institution (13 men, age 52 +/- 8.4 years, range: 31-64 years). Primary indications were: ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) (n = 13), idiopathic CMP (n = 5). All patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure. None of patients had prior open-heart surgery. Implantation via cannulation of the left ventricular apex and the ascending aorta was always elective.


RESULTS
Mean support time was 217 +/- 212.3 days (range: 1-665 days). Early (30-day) mortality was 27.7% (five patients) with multiple organ failure and sepsis as main causes of death. Bleeding requiring reoperation occurred in six (33.3%) cases. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in one patient. There were two driveline infections and no device failure. Twelve (66.6%) patients were successfully discharged home. Overall nine patients (50%) were transplanted and two patients are actually waiting for a suitable organ (n = 2 patients discharged home and n = 1 patient in hospital). At latest, follow-up survival rate after heart transplantation is 66.6% (six patients).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term HeartMate II LVAD provides good mid-term, long-term results. This new technology requires delicate management. Functional status and quality of life greatly improve in patients who survive the perioperative period.
Loforte
Antonino
A
Department of Cardiac Surgery and Heart Transplantation, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy. antonioloforte@yahoo.it
Montalto
Andrea
A
Ranocchi
Federico
F
Casali
Giovanni
G
Luzi
Giampaolo
G
Monica
Paola Lilla Della
PL
Sbaraglia
Fabio
F
Polizzi
Vincenzo
V
Distefano
Giada
G
Musumeci
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome