Ventricular assist system applications in end-stage heart failure

Mechanical circulatory support has an important role in the surgical therapy for heart failure. Patients deteriorating on transplantation waiting lists or those unsuitable for transplantation have been treated with ventricular assist devices. In this report, we have presented application of ventricular assist systems for patients with end-stage heart failure.

Between April 2007 and September 2010, we treated 37 patients with end-stage heart failure with mechanical circulatory support, including 5 children younger than 16 years of age. Three patients were females, and the overall mean age was 40 ± 18 years (range, 1.5-67). In 29 patients we implanted paracorporeal pneumatic ventricular assist devices. Axial flow pumps were chosen to support the left ventricle in 8 patients. Biventricular support was applied in 9 patients because of their poor preoperative clinical conditions and advanced evidence of right ventricular failure.

Heart transplantation was performed in 16 patients (43%). One subject, who was managed with a left ventricular assist device implantation and coronary bypass grafting, was weaned from the system because of recovery of ventricular functions. Eleven patients (30%) are still on pump support. Nine patients (24%) died during mechanical circulatory support. The most prevalent cause of mortality was multiorgan failure (n = 5; 13.5%). Cerebrovascular hemorrhage was the cause of death in 2 patients. One patient died due to acute lung injury, and an other due to malignant melanoma.

Use of a ventricular assist device as a bridge-to-transplantation or as destination therapy can be performed with acceptable mortality. It may be the most promising option for patients with end-stage heart failure. Development of device technology, advanced monitoring of anticoagulation and anti-aggregation therapy, and greater clinical experience may yield better results.