title: Left ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure: Eight-year experience with the implantable HeartMate LVAS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) as bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) in patients with end-stage heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between March 1993 and December 2001, 38 patients with refractory end-stage heart failure underwent HeartMate LVAD (Thoratec, Pleasanton Calif.) implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 33 of the 38 patients (87%) survived the implantation and perioperative period. There were five perioperative deaths (13%), two due to right ventricular failure, two as a result of bleeding and one probably due to septic shock at the time of LVAD implantation. Three patients (9%) died late in the postoperative period due to septic shock, mechanical failure of the device and a cerebral embolus resulting from LVAD endocarditis, initiated by an acute cholecystitis. Twelve patients (32%) had one or more infectious episodes during long-term assist, of which one patient died. Four patients are still on the device, waiting for a heart transplantation. Twenty-six patients (76%) underwent HTx after 206±129 days of support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show the efficacy of LVAD support as a bridge to heart transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. Major long-term complications are infections and mechanical failure of the device.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lahpor
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Jonge
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: van Swieten
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wesenhagen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klöpping
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Geertman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oosterom
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rodermans
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kirkels
keywords: heart failure; heart transplantation; left ventricular assist devices