Clinical experience with centrifugal pump ventricular support at UCLA Medical Center

The experience using the vortex centrifugal pump as a ventricular assist device at The University of California, Los Angeles and Wadsworth V.A. Medical Centers is reviewed. Thirteen adult and one pediatric patients were supported postcardiotomy, 10 LVAD, 3 BIVAD, and 1 RVAD. There were no equipment failures over a mean perfusion time of 52 hr (range 12-140 hr). Seven of thirteen adult patients were supported and weaned from 6 LVAD and 1 BIVAD. Three patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation, and the other four recovered ventricular function, of whom five are longterm survivors at a mean followup time of 16 months. In one patient bridged to transplantation, a prior infection caused the patient to succumb after successful transplantation. All patients assisted for transplantation are carefully screened, and would be excluded from transplantation if they developed significant infection, or irreversible renal or neurologic limitations.