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16:11
Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
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Liver failure in total artificial heart therapy
Alexandros Merkourios Dimitriou1, Otto Dapunt2, Igor Knez2
1Heart- and Vascular Center Duisburg, Department for the Surgical Therapy of End-stage Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support, Duisburg, Germany ;
Journal of Thoracic Disease
|August 9, 2016
Summary
Total artificial heart (TAH) therapy aids liver recovery in acute liver failure patients. However, congestive hepatopathy patients face higher liver-associated mortality risks with TAH implantation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Transplantation
Background:
- Congestive hepatopathy (CH) and acute liver failure (ALF) are frequent complications in patients with biventricular heart failure.
- Evaluating the impact of total artificial heart (TAH) therapy on liver function and outcomes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of TAH therapy on hepatic function in patients with pre-existing liver conditions.
- To determine the clinical outcomes and mortality associated with TAH implantation in heart failure patients with varying degrees of liver compromise.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 31 patients receiving a Syncardia Total Artificial Heart was analyzed.
- Patients were categorized preoperatively based on liver function: normal, ALF, or CH.
- Liver-associated mortality and postoperative liver function parameters were prospectively documented and retrospectively analyzed.
Main Results:
- Liver-associated mortality rates were 0% for normal liver function, 20% for ALF, and 44.4% for CH.
- 5.8% of patients with normal liver function developed ALF post-TAH.
- 80% of ALF patients showed significant hepatic function improvement, while 66.6% of CH patients experienced deterioration.
Conclusions:
- TAH therapy can lead to hepatic function recovery in patients with acute liver failure.
- Congestive hepatopathy represents a significant risk factor for increased liver-associated mortality following TAH implantation.
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