Experience with the Novacor left ventricular assist system as a bridge to cardiac transplantation, including the new wearable system.

Abstract The three components of the Novacor left ventricular assist system, compact controller, battery, and back-up battery, have been miniaturized in the development of the wearable system. Therefore patients can be fully mobilized receiving mechanical circulatory support while awaiting heart transplantation. Between February 1992 and April 1994 a total of eight patients with decompensated heart failure (6 dilated cardiomyopathy, 1 acute myocarditis, 1 ischemic cardiomyopathy) were treated with the Novacor left ventricular assist system. In the most recent four cases the wearable system (N100P) was used. Patients' ages ranged from 17 to 49 years. In five patients severe failure of the right side of the heart was present at the time of implantation. Hemodynamic stabilization was achieved in all patients during the 2 to 122 days (mean 30.8 ± 42.5 days) of support. The following parameters were measured on average before and 24 hours after implantation of the left ventricular assist system: mean arterial pressure 70 ± 11 versus 87 ± 13 mm Hg ( p 2 ( p p p