Clinical use of the Berlin Biventricular Assist Device as a bridge to transplantation

The Berlin Artificial Heart System/Biventricular Assist Device (BVAD) was used in 38 patients. 1) Twenty-eight patients were awaiting cardiac transplantation (Tx) (age 23-56 yrs). All patients had contraindications not allowing immediate Tx. 2) Five patients were emergency cases not on our Tx list (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inASAIO transactions Vol. 36; no. 3; p. M706
Main Authors Schiessler, A, Warnecke, H, Friedel, N, Hennig, E, Hetzer, R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.1990
Subjects
Cardiac Output - physiology
Equipment Design
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Failure - mortality
Heart Failure - physiopathology
Heart Transplantation - physiology
Heart, Artificial
Heart-Assist Devices
Humans
Risk Factors
Survival Rate
Ventricular Function - physiology
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Summary:The Berlin Artificial Heart System/Biventricular Assist Device (BVAD) was used in 38 patients. 1) Twenty-eight patients were awaiting cardiac transplantation (Tx) (age 23-56 yrs). All patients had contraindications not allowing immediate Tx. 2) Five patients were emergency cases not on our Tx list (postcardiotomy cardiac failure, acute myocarditis) (age 28-59). 3) Five patients were post Tx patients with graft failure (age 22-52). Extracorporal circulation was used for implantation of the BVAD. In group 1, 21 of 28 patients (pts) recovered, and all were subsequently transplanted after 6 hours to 39 days, when all organ function was restored. In 7 pts, mechanical circulation was terminated after 1-40 days because of further deterioration. Five of the transplanted pts died, 14 pts survived (greater than 30 days), and 2 pts were just transplanted with satisfactory postoperative courses. Of group 2 and 3 pts, two were successfully weaned. In one patient the allograft recovered after 11 days of support.
ISSN:0889-7190