Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2016; 64(06): 483-486
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1570374
Original Cardiovascular
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Left Ventricular Assist Devices as Bridge to Cardiac Recovery in Nonischemic Heart Failure: Keeping Weaning from the Device in Mind

Ali Akil
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Dieter Fischer
2   Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Alexander J. Holthaus
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Sven Martens
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Mirela Scherer
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Jürgen R. Sindermann
1   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 July 2015

10 November 2015

Publication Date:
31 December 2015 (online)

Abstract

A minority of patients on left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) display myocardial recovery raising the question of device explantation. We report a series of seven LVAD patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy allowing explantation of the VAD. In case of four patients we overview follow-up periods of 4 to 10 years. Remarkably, in three cases device explantation was considered beyond 1 year of LVAD support. Explantation was finally performed after 20 months and more on the device. In light of the scarcity of donor organs we conclude that patients on LVAD support should be evaluated for possible weaning from the device on a regular basis.

 
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