Mechanical assistance for biventricular failure following coronary bypass operation and heart transplantation

From September 1983 to March 1985, five patients who could not be weaned from extracorporeal circulation or who deteriorated in the recovery room have been treated with biventricular mechanical support using two vortex pumps, standard cannulas and tubing. One patient was supported for six hours following heart transplantation and acute graft failure until another donor heart could be found. Intraaortic balloon pumping was utilized in each patient to augment the circulation and produce pulsatile flow. Four of the five patients were weaned from the device. Only one patient is currently a long-term survivor. Although long-term survival has been low, the ability of the myocardium to recover was impressive and warrants the efforts at assisting the heart in biventricular failure.