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    HeartWare-HVAD for end-stage heart failure: a review of clinical experiences with ≥50 patients
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    Abstract:
    Introduction: Despite the improvements in medical and surgical treatments, the incidence of end-stage heart failure (ESHF) continues to increase. Different mechanical systems have been adopted to support failing left ventricles. Among continuous-flow devices, the HeartWare-HVAD was the first to use a centrifugal pump rather than an axial one.Areas covered: In this review article, we provide an overview of the HeartWare-HVAD as a ventricular assist device for ESHF, discussing indications, echocardiographic assessment, surgical techniques, outcomes, concerns and controversies. Scientific literature was reviewed with a MEDLINE search strategy combining ‘HeartWare’ or ‘HVAD’ with ‘heart failure’. A total of 263 papers were found using the reported search. From these, 16 were identified to provide the best evidence on the subject reporting outcomes in ≥50 patients.Expert commentary: HeartWare-HVAD is a minute device that provides full circulatory support in patients with ESHF. Its main indication remains bridge to heart transplantation (HTx). Median sternotomy is the preferred technique of implantation although less invasive procedures have been described. Early outcomes are satisfactory. Nevertheless, some fearing complications still occur during the mid- and long-term follow-up. Further technical developments and optimal medical management will guarantee better outcomes.
    Keywords:
    Destination therapy
    Bridge to transplantation
    Left ventricular mechanical assist device (LVAD) support is well established as a bridge to transplantation and as an alternative to transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure. There are currently various LVAD systems available based on different types of pump technology. We present the VentrAssist LVAD, a centrifugal pump, and focus on a surgical implantation technique that may help reduce the complications typically associated with VAD surgery.412 patients underwent VentrAssist LVAD implantation between June 2003 and January 2009 worldwide. The overall rate of success was 81 % (i.e., ongoing, HTX, or recovery). Interestingly hemolysis is greatly reduced with this intracorporeal centrifugal LVAD compared to other VAD systems with other pump designs. Our surgical implantation technique and strategy may contribute to reducing complications.The VentrAssist is a powerful and effective LVAD; its use can considerably reduce hemolysis. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine whether the VentrAssist is appropriate as a bridge to transplant as well as feasible for long-term application.
    Citations (6)
    The Jarvik-2000 is a non-pulsatile axial-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that is largely used in patients who present in end-stage heart failure, as a bridge to transplant support or destination therapy. From its first utilization, several implantation techniques have been elaborated, starting from a median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support and moving towards a minimally invasive access with an off-pump strategy. Here we present the favored surgical technique used in our department to implant the Jarvik-2000, in a step-by-step fashion.
    Pulsatile flow
    Destination therapy
    Bridge to transplantation
    Bridge (graph theory)
    Artificial heart
    Introduction. Implantation of the new-generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an efficient therapeutic option as a bridge to transplantation in adults, as well as in children and adolescents with small body surface. The aim of this work was to present a case of a successful surgical treatment of terminal heart failure in a male adolescent who had an LVAD implanted as a bridge to heart transplantation. Case outline. The patient, a 17-year-old male, was admitted with the end-stage heart failure due to the dilated cardiomyopathy and implanted LVAD. Fourteen months after LVAD implantation, a successful ?second stage? surgical procedure was performed ? orthotopic heart transplantation preceded by the LVAD explantation. Conclusion. Long-term mechanical circulatory support is an effective and safe method in treatment of the end-stage heart failure as a bridge to transplantation in the adolescent period.
    Bridge to transplantation
    Destination therapy
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy
    Artificial heart
    Citations (0)
    The left ventricular assist device originated as a means to provide temporary circulatory support for patients suffering from end-stage heart failure. The device was originally intended to serve as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Increasingly, however, the left ventricular assist device is being utilized as a destination therapy for those patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation. It is this utilization as a destination therapy that raises additional significant ethical concern related to the risks and benefits of the devices, factors influencing quality of life, and consequences pertaining to end-of-life care.
    Destination therapy
    Bridge to transplantation
    Bridge (graph theory)
    Continuous-flow ventricular assist devices are being implanted with increased frequency in the United States in children with end-stage heart failure. We report the first reported use of the HeartWare HVAD in an 8 year old boy who had a history of biventricular support with Berlin Heart EXCOR devices 4 years previously. He was supported on the HeartWare for 198 days prior to receiving a heart transplantation. The implantable HeartWare HVAD can be used to provide circulatory support for those who have had previous paracorporeal mechanical circulatory support.
    Bridge (graph theory)
    Bridge to transplantation
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