title: Left ventricular device implantation for advanced cardiac amyloidosis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the post-hospital outcomes in patients with senile or familial cardiac amyloidosis treated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. From December 1, 2008 to May 31, 2012, a total of 9 patients underwent LVAD placement for heart failure secondary to amyloidosis. Prior to LVAD placement, all patients were New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV and had a significantly decreased cardiac index (mean 1.93 liters/min/m(2) [1.64 to 2.36]). All patients tolerated LVAD implantation well. Post-operatively, 2 patients died prior to hospital discharge. Three patients died since discharge with a median survival of 13.7 months. Four patients remained alive with a follow-up of 16-24 months. The most common adverse event since placement has been gastrointestinal bleeding (3 of 9 patients). Firm conclusions cannot be drawn from our investigation, but the present observations suggest LVAD implantation is technically feasible for patients with severe heart failure due to advanced cardiac amyloidosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Swiecicki
authors.forename: Brooks S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Sudhir S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kushwaha
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dispenzieri
authors.forename: Soon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Morie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gertz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome