Journal of cardiac surgery
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of total artificial heart and biventricular assist device support as bridge-to-transplantation.
The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has increased significantly in the last decade. However, right heart dysfunction remains a problem despite the improved outcomes with continuous-flow LVADs. Surgical options for bridge to transplantation (BTT) in patients with biventricular failure are total artificial heart (TAH) or biventricular support (BiVAD). This study examines the differences in pre- and post-transplantation outcomes and survival in patients with TAH or BiVAD support as BTT. ⋯ Although there has been a recent increase in the use of the TAH as BTT, BiVAD support remains a viable option with similar post-transplant survival.