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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
CardioWest (Jarvik) total artificial heart: a single-center experience with 42 patients
Jean Christian Roussel1, Thomas Sénage, Olivier Baron
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Institut du Thorax, Nantes Hospital University, Nantes, France. jeanchristian.roussel@chu-nantes.fr
Insights
The CardioWest total artificial heart is a safe and effective bridge-to-transplant device for patients with biventricular failure, showing excellent survival rates post-transplantation and aiding end-organ recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- The CardioWest total artificial heart is a bridge-to-transplant device for biventricular failure.
- Its use is currently limited to a few international centers.
- This study assesses comorbidity and survival in patients awaiting heart transplant using this device.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the CardioWest total artificial heart as a bridge-to-transplant.
- To analyze comorbidity and survival outcomes in patients supported by the device.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 patients implanted with the CardioWest total artificial heart between 1990 and 2006.
- Patients had biventricular failure, with common diagnoses including idiopathic/dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy.
- Data collected included patient demographics, support duration, transplant status, survival rates, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- 30 out of 42 patients (71.5%) received a heart transplant.
- Actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years post-transplant were 90%, 81%, and 76%, respectively.
- Infections (85%) and stroke (7%) were the main adverse events; no device malfunctions caused death.
Conclusions:
- The CardioWest total artificial heart is a highly reliable and safe bridge-to-transplant option for biventricular failure.
- The device demonstrates excellent efficiency and contributes to positive outcomes after transplantation.
- It effectively supports patients, aiding in end-organ recovery prior to transplant.
Background:
When implanted in patients with biventricular failure, the CardioWest total artificial heart has asserted itself over time as a reliable bridge-to-transplant device that as yet is used by only a few international teams. The aim of this single-center retrospective study is to assess both the comorbidity and survival of patients awaiting heart transplants while receiving circulatory support with a CardioWest total artificial heart.
Methods:
From 1990 to December 2006, 42 patients received a CardioWest total artificial heart at our center. Mean age at the time of implantation was 45.7 +/- 9.5 years, and 40 patients (95%) were men. Idiopathic or dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 45.2% (n = 19) of the patients and ischemic cardiomyopathy in 42.8% (n = 18). Average body surface area was 1.9 +/- 0.22 m(2).
Results:
Duration of support was 1 to 292 days (mean, 101 +/- 86 days). Twelve patients died (28.5%) while receiving device support, and 30 patients (71.5%) underwent transplantation. Actuarial survival rates for the transplanted patients were 90% (n = 25), 81% (n = 14), and 76% (n = 10) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Causes of death during device support included multiorgan failure in 6 (50%), sepsis in 2, acute respiratory distress syndrome in 2, alveolar hemorrhage in 1, and other cause in 1. There were no device malfunctions that led to patient death. Adverse events included stroke in 3 patients (7%) and infections in 35 patients (85%) during support.
Conclusions:
The CardioWest total artificial heart is an excellent bridge-to-transplant device for patients with biventricular failure. Our study demonstrates excellent safety, reliability, and efficiency. Exceptional outcome after transplantation underlines its capacity to aid in end-organ recovery.
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