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Long-term mechanical circulatory support with the wearable Novacor left ventricular assist system
D Y Loisance1, P G Jansen, D R Wheeldon
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, CNRS and Claude Bernard Association, University Hospital Henri Mondor, 51 Avenue du Maréchal De Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, Cedex, France. loisance@univ-paris12.fr
Summary
The Novacor wearable electric left ventricular assist system (LVAS) offers a feasible long-term mechanical circulatory support option for patients with advanced heart failure. This therapy demonstrates effective rehabilitation and a realistic alternative when other treatments are unavailable.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
Background:
- Advanced heart failure (AHF) significantly impacts patient prognosis.
- Medical therapy is often insufficient for patients with profound cardiac failure.
- Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is an emerging therapeutic option for AHF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of long-term ambulatory mechanical circulatory support using the Novacor wearable electric left ventricular assist system (LVAS).
- To assess the efficacy and safety of LVAS in patients with refractory advanced heart failure.
- To determine the potential of LVAS as a therapeutic option for end-stage heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from the Novacor European Registry.
- Inclusion of 36 European patients with advanced heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy.
- Evaluation of long-term outcomes, including duration of support, ambulation, and survival.
Main Results:
- Median LVAS support duration was 1.49 years, with 82% of time spent ambulating outside the hospital.
- No mechanical failures were observed; one pump replaced electively after 3.67 years.
- 33% of patients remained on support, 39% were transplanted, 8% weaned, and 19% died after a median of 1.24 years.
Conclusions:
- Long-term Novacor LVAS therapy facilitates effective rehabilitation in patients with refractory advanced heart failure.
- LVAS presents a safe and realistic therapeutic option for patients lacking other effective treatments.
- Further research is needed to define the optimal patient sub-population for LVAS therapy.