ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Rotary axial flow pumps have several potential advantages and disadvantages over pulsatile pumps. The Jarvik 2000 is distinctive in being intracardiac. We report our experience in 22 patients. METHODS: The Jarvik 2000 was implanted in 15 men and 7 women. Mean age was 38.8 (range 23-59) years, preoperative diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy in 16, postpartum cardiomyopathy in 3, ischemic heart disease in 2, and chronic allograft failure in 1. Twenty-one patients were in New York Heart Association class IV, and 1 patient was in class III. Nineteen patients were on inotropic support, 6 were supported with an intra-aortic balloon pump, and 2 patients had been salvaged with a Centrimag (Levitronix) ventricular assist device. The median pulmonary vascular resistance was 3 Wood units; median pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was 26.6 mm Hg; and mean Cardiac Index was 1.5 L/min/m2. RESULTS: There were 2 early deaths and 6 late deaths. The average postoperative ventilation time and Intensive Treatment Unit stay was 2.2 and 10 days, respectively. One patient required a right ventricular assist device for short-term support and another for medium-term support. Seven patients were bridged to transplant, 3 had myocardial recovery, and 4 are ongoing. Mean and total duration of support was 280.5 and 6172 days, respectively. Driveline failures were noted in 3, but there were no pump infections or failure. CONCLUSION: The Jarvik 2000 provides satisfactory intermediate-term results as a bridge to transplant or recovery. It appears to be associated with a low rate of serious driveline or pump infections and technical failure. However, bleeding complications due to the required anticoagulation treatment frequently occurred.
Subject(s)
Heart Ventricles/surgery , Heart-Assist Devices/adverse effects , Adult , Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects , Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/etiology , Equipment Failure Analysis , Female , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Organ Failure/etiology , Postoperative Care , Postoperative Hemorrhage/etiology , Prosthesis Design , Retrospective Studies , Sepsis/etiology , Surgical Wound Infection/etiology , Thrombosis/etiologyABSTRACT
Heart failure is becoming increasingly common as the population ages. Ventricular assist devices are used as a bridge for patients whose heart failure can no longer be controlled by medication and require a heart transplant. This article examines the care, rehabilitation and education of these patients.
