Journal of cardiac surgery
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Pulsatile flow left ventricular assist devices (PF-LVADs) have successfully supported patients with severe heart failure for bridge-to-transplant (BTT) and destination therapy (DT). End-organ dysfunction is often reversed, optimizing the patient's condition to enhance survival, and quality of life. Questions have been raised regarding the potential for continuous flow LVADs (CF-LVADs) to provide the same quality of circulatory support. ⋯ There are anecdotal cases of patients being supported with a CF-LVAD for over seven years with preserved end-organ function. Presently, there are no clinical reports indicating that end-organ function is not well maintained. Current clinical evidence indicates that end-organ perfusion and function can be well maintained for extended durations of support with a CF-LVAD.
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Review Historical Article
Transcutaneous energy transmission for mechanical circulatory support systems: history, current status, and future prospects.
A totally implantable mechanical circulatory support system would be very desirable for destination therapy. However, implanting all components of a pulsatile total artificial heart (TAH) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is complex because of the requirement for a continuous electrical power supply and the need for volume compensation. Implantable compliance chambers were developed for early LVAD designs, and although they functioned properly during initial laboratory tests, air loss by diffusion and the development of fibrous tissue around the sac eventually rendered them ineffective. ⋯ More recently, TETSs were used clinically for both a pulsatile TAH and LVAD in a small number of patients, but for reasons unrelated to the TETS, neither of these devices is presently in use. Because the newer continuous-flow LVADs do not require a compliance chamber, they present a potential future application for TETS technology, because infections of the percutaneous tube continue to be one of the most important limitations of long-term circulatory support. A totally implantable LVAD with an incorporated TETS for destination therapy could become an important advance in the treatment of end-stage heart failure.
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One of the unique variables for successful implantation of transcatheter aortic valves involves the ability to secure an access route for deployment of the aortic valve. ⋯ The article review highlights the various percutaneous, hybrid, and surgical access techniques platforms available as well as options for implantation of these devices.
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We present a case of a displaced atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder in the left ventricle. We successfully adapted a strategy to remove the device through a single right atrial incision which permitted retrieval of the occluder and the closure of the ASD.