The International journal of artificial organs
-
Low cardiac output syndrome is associated with significant mortality. In patients with refractory low cardiac output left ventricular assist devices (VAD) are used to re-establish cardiac output and to prevent death. However, long-term LVAD implantation in these is complicated by a high rate of right heart failure and mortality. Therefore, our strategy is to implant a short-term VAD (left or biventricular) as a bridge to decission. ⋯ Thanks to its capacity for full ventricular support, short-term univentricular or biventricular LevotronixCentriMag VAD currently represents an ideal solution for bridge-to-decision.