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Updated: May 11, 2026
08:49
Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Long-term paracorporeal ventricular support systems: a single-center experience.
1Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiology, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey.
Transplantation Proceedings
|April 30, 2013
Summary
The Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device provides pulsatile flow for end-stage heart failure. This study highlights its use in critical pediatric and adult patients, with a 59% heart transplant rate.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
Background:
- The Berlin Heart EXCOR is a first-generation paracorporeal pneumatic ventricular assist device.
- It provides pulsatile flow for long-term support in end-stage heart failure.
- This study shares clinical experience from 54 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical experience with the Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device.
- To assess its efficacy and safety in patients with end-stage heart failure.
- To identify its role in critical care settings.
Main Methods:
- 54 patients with end-stage heart failure received Berlin Heart EXCOR implantation between April 2007 and August 2012.
- Patients included adults and 9 children, with varying Intermacs levels (1-3).
- Biventricular support was used in 13 patients; some underwent on-pump beating heart implantation or interventions with aortic valve cross-clamp.
Main Results:
- No perioperative deaths occurred.
- 32 patients (59%) received heart transplants, and 10 (19%) remained on support with a 13-month mean follow-up.
- 11 patients (20%) died during support; 17 patients required 19 pump-head exchanges due to thrombus, fibrin, or membrane rupture.
Conclusions:
- The Berlin Heart EXCOR remains valuable for pediatric patients and critical conditions (Intermacs levels 1-2).
- Despite the rise of implantable devices, this paracorporeal assist device plays a specific role.
- Its use is associated with significant heart transplant rates and survival in select patient populations.
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