IMPLANTABLE LEFT-VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OUTPATIENT BRIDGE TO TRANSPLANTATION AND RECOVERY

Objectives. Our recent experience with outpatient left ventricular ass ist device (LVAD) support is presented to demonstrate the possibilitie s and limitations of long-term outpatient mechanical circulatory assis tance. Background. The experience with inpatient LVAD support as a bri dge to transplantation has proved the efficacy of such therapy in impr oving circulatory hemodynamic status, restoring normal end organ funct ion and facilitating patient rehabilitation. With miniaturization of t he power supplies and controllers, such mechanical circulatory support can now be accomplished in an outpatient setting. Methods. Between Ma rch 1993 and February 1997, 32 patients (26 male, 6 female, mean [+/-S EM] age 49 +/- 15 years) underwent implantation of the ThermoCardiosys tems (TCI) Heartmate vented electric (VE) LVAD. The VE LVAD is powered by batteries worn on shoulder holsters and is operated by a belt-moun ted system controller, allowing unrestricted patient ambulation and ho spital discharge.