Current strategy for severe heart failure with mechanical circulatory support

In the last 10 years, 37 patients received assisted circulation or a ventricular assist device after open-heart operations at the Heart Institute of Japan. After cardiovascular surgery, 12 patients underwent venoarterial bypass (VAB), 13 had biventricular bypass (BVB), 8 had left ventricular bypass (LVB), and the remaining 4 received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Weaning and discharge rates of the patients by type of circulatory supports were 41.7 and 25.0% with VAB, 69.3 and 46.2% with BVB, 87.5 and 37.5% with LVB, 75.0 and 50.0% with LVAD, and 44.4 and 11.1% with PCPS, respectively. Concerning complications of postcardiotomy circulatory support, hemorrhage and ventricular arrhythmia postcardiotomy circulatory support, hemorrhage, and ventricular arrhythmia (immature weaning) decreased with low-heparinized isolated left ventricular supports (i.e., LVB, LVAD). However, profound biventricular failure, infection, and multiple organ failure remain as possible complications with any type of assisted circulation. These results suggest that early application of circulatory support and appropriate selection of the mode of support and devices used are important for successful circulatory support.