Registry report. Use of total artificial hearts: summary of world experience, 1969-1991

Eleven models of total artificial hearts (TAHs) have been used for transient or permanent circulatory support in patients with failing hearts. From April 4, 1969 to July 1, 1991, 230 TAHs were used in 226 patients (four patients received a second TAH) at 39 centers worldwide. Five patients received a Symbion TAH as a permanent circulatory support device; the remaining 221 received TAHs as bridges to cardiac transplantation. The principal investigators received written requests for demographic and clinical information after each implant and annually thereafter to assess survival. The mean patient age (+/- SD) was 43 +/- 12 years (range, 13-69 years); 88% of patients were men. The primary indications for implantation were deterioration while on a transplant waiting list (34%) and acute cardiogenic shock (33%). The duration of implantation ranged from < 1 to 603 days; 65% received heart transplants. The incidence of infection and embolic events occurring during implantation times were 36% and 9%, respectively (stroke, 5%; transient ischemic attacks 4%). Most deaths were caused by sepsis (33%) and multiorgan failure (32%) during the implantation period; sepsis (36%) and rejection of the donor heart (19%) were responsible for most deaths in patients who died after transplantation. The 1 year survival rate was 37% for all patients receiving a device and 50% for those who received a transplanted organ. In the overall Symbion TAH population (187 patients), 40% survived 1 year and 56% of the transplanted group survived 1 year; 39 non-Symbion TAH implants resulted in one long-term survivor (3%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)