scholarly journals Mechanical circulatory support saves lives – three years’ experience of the newly established assist device program at Semmelweis University

2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (13) ◽  
pp. 521-527
Author(s):  
Levente Fazekas ◽  
Balázs Sax ◽  
István Hartyánszky ◽  
Miklós Pólos ◽  
Ferenc Horkay ◽  
...  

Introduction: Since the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the first heart transplantation in Hungary in 2012 the emerging need for modern heart failure management via mechanical circulatory support has evolved. In May 2012 the opening of a new heart failure and transplant unit with 9 beds together with the procurement of necessary devices at Semmelweis University accomplished this need. Aim: The aim of the authors was to report their initial experience obtained in this new cardiac assist device program. Method: Since May, 2012, mechanical circulatory support system was applied in 89 cases in 72 patients. Indication for support were end stage heart failure refractory to medical treatment and acute left or right heart failure. Results: Treatment was initiated for acute graft failure after heart transplantation in 27 cases, for end stage heart failure in 24 cases, for acute myocardial infarction in 21 cases, for acute postcardiotomy heart failure in 14 cases, for severe respiratory insufficiency in 2 cases and for drug intoxication in one case. Among the 30 survivor of the whole program 13 patients were successfully transplanted. Conclusions: The available devices can cover all modalities of current bridge therapy from short term support through medium support to heart transplantation or long term support and destination therapy. These conditions made possible the successful start of a new cardiac assist device program. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(13), 521–527.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Ghosh ◽  
John Hilton

Chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CCMP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Compared to cardiomyopathy due to other causes, anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy is associated with a worse survival. As cancer survival improves, patients with CCMP can be expected to comprise a significant proportion of patients who may require advanced therapies such as inotropic support, cardiac transplantation, or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Distinct outcomes related to advanced therapies for end-stage heart failure in this patient population may arise due to unique demographic characteristics and comorbidities. We review recent literature regarding the characteristics of patients who have survived cancer undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support for end-stage heart failure. The challenges and outcomes of advanced therapies for heart failure related specifically to anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy are emphasized.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Patrycja Ganslmeier ◽  
Christof Schmid ◽  
◽  

Mechanical circulatory support for end-stage heart failure has become routine and is now increasingly used as definitive treatment. Several small devices qualify for this purpose, but only a few have gained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as yet. Several studies, including the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (REMATCH) study, the Investigation of Non-transplant-Eligible Patients Who Are Inotrope Dependent (INTrEPID) and the HeartMate (HM) II trial have confirmed a significantly improved quality of life and functional capacity after device placement. However, cerebrovascular events, infection and device malfunction still pose a considerable risk to patients and hinder widespread use.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 468
Author(s):  
Kyle D. Hope ◽  
Priya N. Bhat ◽  
William J. Dreyer ◽  
Barbara A. Elias ◽  
Jaime L. Jump ◽  
...  

Heart failure is a life-changing diagnosis for a child and their family. Pediatric patients with heart failure experience significant morbidity and frequent hospitalizations, and many require advanced therapies such as mechanical circulatory support and/or heart transplantation. Pediatric palliative care is an integral resource for the care of patients with heart failure along its continuum. This includes support during the grief of a new diagnosis in a child critically ill with decompensated heart failure, discussion of goals of care and the complexities of mechanical circulatory support, the pensive wait for heart transplantation, and symptom management and psychosocial support throughout the journey. In this article, we discuss the scope of pediatric palliative care in the realm of pediatric heart failure, ventricular assist device (VAD) support, and heart transplantation. We review the limited, albeit growing, literature in this field, with an added focus on difficult conversation and decision support surrounding re-transplantation, HF in young adults with congenital heart disease, the possibility of destination therapy VAD, and the grimmest decision of VAD de-activation.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dane A Coyne ◽  
Mitali P Shah ◽  
Kris M Mogensen ◽  
John C Klick

Heart failure is a devastating progressive disease process that is rising in incidence throughout the world. For patients with end-stage heart failure, orthotopic heart transplantation had been the only therapeutic option. Unfortunately, the number of patients requiring such therapy far exceeds the number of available organs. Recent advancements in technology have made implantable cardiac assist devices a reality. Outcomes with these devices are superior to maximal medical therapy and may serve either as a bridge to the availability of a donor organ or as “destination” therapy for the patient with end-stage heart failure. In addition, new technology can also provide temporary mechanical support for patients with acute decompensated cardiogenic shock, allowing preservation of end-organ function until more definitive long-term mechanical support can be coordinated. Patients with end-stage heart failure experience unique nutritional challenges. Mechanical circulatory support adds yet another unique dimension to the nutritional support challenges of this patient population. This review contains 2 figures, 5 tables, and 29 references. Key words: cardiogenic shock, enteral nutrition, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, nutritional support, parenteral nutrition, ventricular assist device


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jooli Han ◽  
Dennis Trumble

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a debilitating condition that afflicts tens of millions of people worldwide and is responsible for more deaths each year than all cancers combined. Because donor hearts for transplantation are in short supply, a safe and durable means of mechanical circulatory support could extend the lives and reduce the suffering of millions. But while the profusion of blood pumps available to clinicians in 2019 tend to work extremely well in the short term (hours to weeks/months), every long-term cardiac assist device on the market today is limited by the same two problems: infections caused by percutaneous drivelines and thrombotic events associated with the use of blood-contacting surfaces. A fundamental change in device design is needed to address both these problems and ultimately make a device that can support the heart indefinitely. Toward that end, several groups are currently developing devices without blood-contacting surfaces and/or extracorporeal power sources with the aim of providing a safe, tether-free means to support the failing heart over extended periods of time.


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