Experience with the Berlin Heart Assist Device

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Engineering
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSS) have been vital since 1987 for cardiac support.
• Indications include recovery post-surgery, myocardial infarction, graft failure, and bridge-to-transplantation.
• The Berlin Heart Assist Device is a key MCSS used in critical cardiac conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Berlin Heart Assist Device in patient recovery and as a bridge to transplantation.
• To assess patient survival and discharge rates using this device.
• To identify areas for improvement in MCSS technology and patient management.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 22 patients in the recovery group and 112 in the bridge-to-transplantation group.
• Data collected from four German hospitals up to 1993.
• Focus on patient outcomes including weaning, discharge, and transplantation rates.

Main Results:

• In the recovery group (n=22), 4 patients were weaned, and 1 was discharged.
• In the bridge-to-transplantation group (n=112), 68 patients received transplants, and 46 were discharged.
• The device successfully sustained patients for extended periods, including those with cardiogenic shock and graft failure.

Conclusions:

• The Berlin Heart Assist Device can sustain life for weeks to months in severe cardiogenic shock.
• It offers a possibility for complete cardiac recovery in cases of early post-transplant graft failure.
• Further experience and device improvements are needed for reliable prediction of outcomes in bridge-to-transplantation scenarios.