Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Outpatients on biventricular assist devices.

T Drews1, M Loebe, M Jurmann

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany. dr.drews@berlin.de

The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
|October 18, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Long-term use of the biventricular assist device (BVAD) is feasible for patients awaiting heart transplants. This mechanical circulatory support enables recovery and improves quality of life before transplantation.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Pump Thrombosis following HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in a Patient with Aspirin and Plavix Resistance.

The heart surgery forum·2017
Same author

[Progress and perspectives in mechanical circulatory support].

Zeitschrift fur Kardiologie·2016
Same author

Non-Cardiac Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Hypokalemia in a Patient with a Syncardia™ Total Artificial Heart.

The heart surgery forum·2016
Same author

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube in a Syncardia™ Total Artificial Heart.

The heart surgery forum·2016
Same author

Journal editors salute Jerry D. Estep and Matthias Loebe for their contribution to the special issue on mechanical assist devices.

Methodist DeBakey cardiovascular journal·2015
Same author

Acute and chronic thoracic aortic disease: surgical considerations.

HSR proceedings in intensive care & cardiovascular anesthesia·2013

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Engineering

Background:

  • Increasing transplant waiting times necessitate advanced therapies for severe cardiogenic shock.
  • Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is crucial for patients with multiorgan failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of outpatient use of the biventricular assist device (BVAD) as a bridge to heart transplantation.
  • To assess patient safety, recovery, and quality of life during home-based BVAD support.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 11 patients implanted with BVAD (Berlin Heart) between 1997 and 2000.
  • Patients were discharged home after recovery from organ dysfunction and training in device management.
  • Monitoring included infections, thromboembolic events, bleeding, and psychological effects.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • All 11 patients were discharged home, with a mean support time of 382 days.
  • The mean duration of home support was 48 days.
  • Readmission occurred in 63% of patients (transient ischemic attacks, bleeding, wound infections); one patient died from an accident.

Conclusions:

  • Outpatient BVAD support is a viable strategy for patients awaiting transplantation.
  • It facilitates survival, organ recovery, and an acceptable quality of life.
  • Careful patient selection and training are essential for successful home management.