Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 23, 2025

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
16:11

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart

Published on: July 18, 2014

35.7K

End-stage heart failure patients should be treated instantly despite a pandemic with all-time available technology to

Marie-Cécile Bories1,2,3, Ramzi Abi Akar1,2,4

  • 1Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, INSERM Unit 970, Paris, France.

European Heart Journal Supplements : Journal of the European Society of Cardiology
|January 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) therapy is a crucial treatment for advanced heart failure (HF), even during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights successful LVAD implantation strategies for severe HF patients, ensuring continued care despite global health challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Transplantation Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted cardiovascular care, particularly heart transplantation.
  • Heart transplantation faces challenges in donor selection, immunosuppression, and post-transplant management due to COVID-19.
  • Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) therapy is an established treatment for end-stage heart failure, serving as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a therapeutic strategy for managing acute heart failure (HF) in patients with Intermacs profiles 1-4.
  • To demonstrate the successful application of LVAD therapy in severe HF patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and French national lockdown.
  • To emphasize the continued capacity for providing optimal care for advanced HF patients irrespective of COVID-19 status.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a series of patients with severe heart failure.
  • Implementation of LVAD therapy for patients with Intermacs profiles 1-4.
  • Management of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown, considering COVID-19 infection status.

Main Results:

  • Successful LVAD implantation and treatment for patients with severe heart failure.
  • Demonstrated feasibility of providing advanced cardiac support during a pandemic and lockdown.
  • Highlighted LVAD as a primary treatment option for advanced HF due to donor heart scarcity.

Conclusions:

  • LVAD implantation is a vital treatment for advanced heart failure, especially when heart transplantation is not feasible.
  • Effective management strategies for severe HF patients can be maintained during pandemics.
  • The study underscores the importance of adapting care delivery systems to ensure continuous treatment for end-stage heart failure patients.

Keywords:
Covid-19End-stage heart failureHeart TransplantationLeft Ventricular Assist Device

More Related Videos

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

25.0K
Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart08:49

Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart

Published on: May 11, 2018

9.7K

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
111
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
93
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
126
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
163
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
140
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
673