The Longest Documented LVAD Survival: 22 Years of Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support

Durable mechanical circulatory support has allowed patients prolonged survival with mitigation of myriad complications. As survivorship extends beyond a decade, driveline integrity and device management present complex clinical challenges.

We report a 73-year-old man who, to our knowledge, had the longest period of durable mechanical support at 22 years and 10 months across 3 ventricular assist devices.

Advancements in left ventricular assist device technology have continued to improve patient outcomes and can sustain meaningful quality of life over 2 decades in carefully selected patients with the support of a multidisciplinary team.

Well-selected patients can be supported with durable mechanical support for over 2 decades with the guidance of a multidisciplinary team. Evaluation of driveline malfunctions in collaboration with the manufacturer is critical for timely intervention.