Implantation technique of the Novacor left ventricular assist device

The Novacor implantable left ventricular assist device has demonstrated clinical success in both the bridge-to-transplant and destination-therapy patient populations. The original clinical protocols recommended placement of the pump/energy converter within the peritoneal space. Nevertheless, during preclinical studies it was seen that it might be difficult to place this device in the peritoneal cavity of tall, slender patients, patients having a small muscular abdomen, and many women. Therefore, a technique using preperitoneal placement of the pump/energy converter was proposed. In between, this technique has been used with several modifications in more than several hundred patients worldwide. A detailed description of the insertion technique used in La Pitié, Paris, is presented.