Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

A Porcine Heterotopic Heart Transplantation Protocol for Delivery of Therapeutics to a Cardiac Allograft
Published on: February 14, 2022
Current and novel cardiac support therapies.
12C2 Walter MacKenzie Health Sciences Center, Division of Cardiology, University of Alberta, 8440 112th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. bjugdutt@ualberta.ca
Novel cardiac support devices, including ventricular assist devices (VADs) and cardiac support devices (CSDs), show promise for treating end-stage heart failure. These strategies aim to reverse cardiac remodeling and improve heart function, with passive CSDs being particularly promising.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Optimal medical therapy often fails to prevent progression to end-stage heart failure.
- End-stage heart failure significantly reduces quality of life and patient outcomes.
- Novel cardiac support strategies offer potential therapeutic benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of ventricular assist devices (VADs) and cardiac support devices (CSDs) in managing end-stage heart failure.
- To investigate the potential for VADs and CSDs to induce reverse remodeling and myocardial recovery.
- To assess the future prospects of cell- and/or matrix-based therapies in conjunction with cardiac support devices.
Main Methods:
- Review of current VADs and CSDs, including passive devices like Acorn.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which VADs and CSDs promote reverse remodeling and myocardial recovery.
- Discussion of ongoing investigations into combined cell/matrix therapies with CSDs.
Main Results:
- Long-term left VADs are effective but rarely lead to recovery upon removal.
- Passive CSDs demonstrate significant promise for long-term therapy in end-stage heart failure.
- CSDs show potential for reversing structural and biochemical remodeling.
Conclusions:
- VADs and CSDs represent crucial advancements in treating advanced heart failure.
- Passive CSDs offer a promising avenue for long-term management and cardiac recovery.
- Further research is needed to expand CSD applications, particularly post-myocardial infarction, and to explore combination therapies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
Heart Failure V: Medical Management

