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Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Minimal-access left ventricular assist device explantation
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada. acheung@providencehealth.bc.ca
Innovations (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|November 6, 2012
Summary
This study shows that HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD) explantation is safe using a novel minimal-access technique. Patients achieved good recovery with no procedural mortality, enabling successful bridge to recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) can serve as a bridge to recovery for heart failure patients.
- Successful explantation of LVADs is crucial for patients who recover native heart function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review a novel explantation technique for the HeartMate II LVAD.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of this minimal-access approach for LVAD explantation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of the institutional LVAD database.
- Analysis of six HeartMate II patients explanted using a combined left anterior minithoracotomy and subxiphoid incision, off-pump.
- Evaluation of procedural outcomes, mortality, functional status, and resource utilization.
Main Results:
- All six patients were successfully explanted with no procedural or 30-day mortality.
- Patients achieved New York Heart Association class I to II functional status at long-term follow-up.
- The procedure involved minimal blood transfusion, short ICU stays (median 1 day), and brief hospitalizations (median 4.5 days).
- One case of postexplant embolic cerebral infarct was noted.
Conclusions:
- The HeartMate II LVAD can be safely explanted using a less conventional minimal-access approach.
- This technique offers a promising option for patients bridging to recovery after LVAD support.
- The approach is associated with favorable clinical outcomes and resource utilization.
