Abstract
Against the background of an increasing number of patients waiting for heart transplantation
but a stagnating number of transplant procedures, long-term mechanical circulatory
support is gaining major importance. We investigated the outcome of 20 patients (15
men, and 5 women, aged between 15 and 66 years) each supported for more than 100 days
between September 1987 and August 1996. The indications for implantation were bridging
in 17 patients, myocarditis in 2 patients, and postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in
one patient. 12 patients received the Novacor LVAD, 4 patients the Thoratec System,
3 patients the HeartMate device and one patient both Novacor and Thoratec. Mean duration
of support was 178.1 days. 15 patients were transplanted, 14 of them could be discharged.
2 patients died, 4 patients are still waiting. The most frequent complication was
device-related infection in 11 patients. The results have shown that all three systems
are safe and reliable devices for supporting patients for more than 100 days.
Key words
Heart-assist devices - Heart transplantation - Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock
