Cardiac Support Device: Novel Surgical Option for Heart Failure

From April 1999 to July 2000, the Acorn cardiac support device was assessed in 22 patients with advanced heart failure, 10 of whom received mitral valve repair. There was 1 hospital death unrelated to the device, and 2 late deaths at 2 and 8 months postoperatively. The survivors had no device-related complications during a mean follow-up of 10.4 months. Mitral valve regurgitation improved in all patients and none had evidence of constrictive or restrictive physiology on repeat cardiac catheterization at 6 months. Preoperatively, 22% were in New York Heart Association functional class II, 71% in class III, and 7% in class IV. At 6 months postoperatively, 33% were in class I, 56% in class II, 11% in class III, and none in class IV. Ejection fraction increased from 19% ± 8% to 26% ± 10% at 3 months and 24% ± 11% at 6 months. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased from 74 ± 6.1 mm preoperatively to 68 ± 11 mm at 6 months. These findings indicate that the device is safe and effective in treating hea...