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Single-center experience with the thoratec ventricular assist device
R Körfer1, A El-Banayosy, L Arusoglu
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|March 1, 2000
Summary
The Thoratec ventricular assist device is a reliable option for heart support, particularly as a bridge to transplantation. While effective, complications like bleeding and organ failure require further study for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Devices
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- The Thoratec ventricular assist device is widely used for univentricular and biventricular cardiac support.
- Experience with over 100 patient implantations provides valuable insights into its efficacy and challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical experience with the Thoratec ventricular assist device in a large patient cohort.
- To evaluate the device's performance in bridge-to-transplant and cardiogenic shock scenarios.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 114 patients who received the Thoratec ventricular assist device between March 1992 and June 1998.
- Patients were categorized into three groups: bridge-to-transplant (n=84), postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (n=17), and other cardiogenic shock (n=13).
Main Results:
- Bridge-to-transplant survival to transplantation was 68%, with 88% posttransplant survival. Age over 60 was the sole independent risk factor for survival.
- Survival rates for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and other causes were 47% and 31%, respectively.
- Common complications included bleeding, multiple organ failure, liver failure, sepsis, and neurologic disorders.
Conclusions:
- The Thoratec ventricular assist device demonstrates reliability for bridge-to-transplant and postcardiotomy support.
- Further research is needed to optimize patient selection and management strategies to mitigate complications.