The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Mar 1992
Heart transplantation after mechanical circulatory support: four years' experience.
To determine the effect of mechanical circulatory support before heart transplantation, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 207 men who underwent staged orthotopic transplantations. Of these patients, 185 (group I) required pharmacologic support before transplantation; 14 (group II) required mechanical circulatory support with an intraaortic balloon pump (duration of support, 1 to 26 days); and eight (group III) required advanced mechanical circulatory support with an implantable left ventricular assist device (duration of support, 19 to 132 days). A comparison of complications after transplantation (infection and rejection), hospitalization, and survival showed that no significant differences existed among the three groups. ⋯ In fact, such support can help to improve their end-organ perfusion, and, thus, their status as heart transplantation candidates. Furthermore, this study shows that advanced mechanical circulatory support is possible even for prolonged periods, with low risk of sudden death. This finding is an important step toward development of a permanent assist device.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Mar 1992
Comparative StudyAcute effects of dobutamine and isoproterenol after implantation of a total artificial heart.
The hemodynamic effects of dobutamine and isoproterenol infusions were studied in five Holstein calves 1 day before and 2 days after the implantation of a Jarvik-7 total artificial heart (TAH). Cardiac output was decreased, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary vascular resistance were increased after TAH implantation. Administration of dobutamine before TAH implantation caused an increase in heart rate, and discontinuation of dobutamine decreased cardiac output. ⋯ Isoproterenol increased heart rate and cardiac output and decreased SVR before TAH implantation. Isoproterenol produced no significant hemodynamic effects after TAH implantation. These results describe the hemodynamic effects that could be expected from normal clinical infusions of these drugs in the patient who is supported by the TAH as a bridge to heart transplantation; these results are of additional interest in that they describe the peripheral effects of the two agents independent of cardiac effects.