LONG-TERM MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT

Against the background of an increasing number of patients waiting for heart transplantation but a stagnating number of transplant procedure s, long-term mechanical circulatory support is gaining major importanc e. We investigated the outcome of 20 patients (15 men, and 5 women, ag ed between 15 and 66 years) each supported for more than 100 days betw een September 1987 and August 1996. The indications for implantation w ere bridging in 17 patients, myocarditis in 2 patients, and postcardio tomy cardiogenic shock in one patient. 12 patients received the Novaco r LVAD, 4 patients the Thoratec system, 3 patients the HeartMate devic e and one patient both Novacor and Thoratec. Mean duration of support was 178.1 days. 15 patients were transplanted, 14 of them could be dis charged. 2 patients died, 4 patients are still waiting. The most frequ ent complication was device-related infection in 11 patients. The resu lts have shown that all three systems are safe and reliable devices fo r supporting patients for more than 100 days.