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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
[First experience of application of assist circulation device using biventricular type "excor"]
This report describes the initial clinical experience with the Excor biventricular assist device at a specialized medical center. Researchers evaluated seven patients who received this mechanical support system while awaiting heart transplantation to determine its effectiveness as a bridge to surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiothoracic surgery outcomes research within cardiovascular medicine
- Mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation clinical studies
Background:
Mechanical circulatory support systems have become increasingly common for patients awaiting heart transplantation. No prior work had resolved the specific clinical outcomes for the Excor biventricular device in this particular center. That uncertainty drove the need for a detailed review of initial implantation experiences. Prior research has shown that these devices serve as a bridge to surgery for those with severe heart failure. This gap motivated the current assessment of early performance metrics. It was already known that patient selection influences survival rates during the waiting period. This study addresses the lack of documented data regarding this specific device configuration. The clinical community requires more evidence to refine management strategies for these complex cases.
Purpose Of The Study:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of the first seven implantations of the Excor biventricular assist device. Researchers sought to determine the effectiveness of this technology as a bridge to heart transplantation. The study addresses the need for data on mechanical circulatory support in patients with severe cardiac failure. This specific problem involves managing high-risk patients who are waiting for donor organs. The motivation for this work stems from the increasing frequency of device use in recent years. Investigators intended to document the outcomes and complications observed during the initial experience at their center. By analyzing these cases, the team hoped to clarify the role of biventricular support in current practice. This report provides a detailed account of the early institutional experience with this specific medical device.
Main Methods:
The review approach involved a retrospective analysis of seven consecutive patients who received biventricular mechanical support. Investigators examined clinical records from the Federal Almazov Centre to extract relevant surgical and post-operative data. The team tracked patient progress from the date of device placement until the conclusion of the study period. Researchers documented the duration of support for each individual, which spanned from eleven to three hundred and one days. The assessment focused on identifying successful transitions to donor organ replacement. Staff also recorded all adverse events, including mortality and specific causes of death. This systematic evaluation provided a clear picture of the initial institutional experience with the technology. The methodology ensured that all relevant clinical milestones were captured for the entire cohort.
Main Results:
Key findings from the literature indicate that four patients successfully proceeded to heart transplantation after receiving mechanical support. One individual died five days post-implantation due to a pulmonary embolism. Another patient succumbed to multiple organ failure on the eleventh day, complicated by severe chronic cardiac failure. Two patients remained on the waiting list at the time of the final assessment. The observation period for the entire group varied significantly, reaching a maximum of three hundred and one days. These results reflect the initial performance of the device within a high-acuity clinical setting. The data demonstrate both the potential for successful bridging and the inherent risks of severe complications. The findings provide a snapshot of early institutional outcomes for this specific biventricular support configuration.
Conclusions:
The authors suggest that the Excor system functions as a viable bridge to heart transplantation for selected patients. Synthesis and implications indicate that outcomes vary based on individual patient health status before surgery. Researchers observed that some individuals successfully reached transplantation after varying durations of mechanical support. The data highlight the risks of complications such as pulmonary embolism in this patient population. Findings imply that multiple organ failure remains a significant threat for those with advanced chronic cardiac conditions. The review suggests that ongoing monitoring is necessary for patients remaining on the waiting list. These results provide a baseline for future evaluations of biventricular support technology. The authors conclude that careful patient management is required to improve overall survival during the bridge period.
Frequently Asked Questions
The researchers report that four patients successfully underwent heart transplantation following mechanical support. Two individuals remain on the waiting list, while two others experienced fatal complications, including pulmonary embolism and multiple organ failure, shortly after the procedure.
The study utilized the Excor biventricular assist device, a mechanical circulatory support system designed to provide biventricular pumping assistance for patients experiencing severe heart failure while they await donor organ availability.
The authors state that the implantation procedures occurred at the Federal Almazov Centre of the Heart, Blood and Endocrinology, which provided the necessary clinical infrastructure for these complex surgical interventions.
The researchers analyzed patient data collected over an observation period ranging from eleven to three hundred and one days to determine the effectiveness of the bridge-to-transplant strategy.
The study measured the success of the bridge-to-transplant strategy by tracking the number of patients who reached transplantation versus those who succumbed to complications like pulmonary embolism or organ failure.
The authors imply that the observed outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of using this biventricular system, though they emphasize that patient-specific factors significantly influence the success of the bridge-to-transplant process.
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Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview

