Clinical results with the AB-180 left ventricular assist device

Background. This report reviews the initial clinical experience with the AB -180 ventricular assist device. Methods. Between Dec 1997 and July 2000, the AB-180 was implanted in 17 pat ients at five institutions. The mean age was 52 years (range 21 to 68 years ) and 14 of 17 were male. The indications for implantation were postcardiot omy shock (12 of 17, 70%), decompensated cardiomyopathy (2 of 17, 12%), vir al myocarditis (2 of 17, 12%), and acute myocardial infarction (1 of 17, 6% ). Results. The mean duration of support was 8.5 days (range 1 to 28 days). In the group of 17 patients, 8 were weaned from the device and 2 underwent tr ansplantation. Four of the weaned patients (4 of 8, 50%) and 1 of the trans plant patients (1 of 2, 50%) survived. The overall weaning and survival rat es were 58% (10 of 17) and 29% (5 of 17). There were no major device-relate d complications and no major device malfunctions. Conclusions. The AB-180 provides reliable circulatory support for reversibl e forms of heart failure. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.