Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used as an effective therapeutic option in patients with advanced heart failure, either as a bridge to transplantation, as destination therapy, or in some patients, as a bridge to recovery.
Despite improvements in pharmacological therapy and pacing, prognosis in advanced heart failure (HF) remains poor, with a 1-year mortality of 25-50%.
Mechanical circulatory support improves survival and quality of life in selected patients with advanced heart failure.
Background: Recent clinical trials have shown that pulmonary artery pressure-guided therapy via the CardioMEMS™ system reduces the risk of recurrent hospitalizations in chronic heart failure (HF) patients.
The HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) (St. Jude Medical Inc., St Paul, MN) with full magnetic levitation allows for wide and consistent blood flow paths and an artificial pulse designed for enhanced hemocompatibility.
Updated results from the ADVANCE trial evaluating the use of the Ventricular Assist Device, from HeartWare, as a bridge to...
The clinical course of heart failure is characterised by progressive worsening of cardiac function and symptoms. Patients progress to a condition where traditional treatment is no longer effective and advanced therapies...
Alongside a pharmacological strategy to aid myocardial recovery, LVADs may prove to have a significant role to play in the ever-growing problem of heart failure. Although LVADs are not new onto the scene, the advance of technology – smaller, more efficient devices with better reliability and potentially transcutaneous power transfer – means we may be on the cusp of seeing many more deployed to tackle heart failure.
Background: Continuous-flow left ventricular assist systems increase the rate of survival among patients with advanced heart failure but are associated with the development of pump thrombosis.
Mechanical circulatory support with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an established treatment for patients with advanced heart failure.