Background. The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is established as a bridge to heart transplantation. Methods. All Swedish patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation, treated with LVAD since 1993 were retrospectively collected into a database and analyzed in regards to risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Results. Fifty-nine patients (46 men) with a median age of 49 years (range, 14 to 69 years), Higgins score median of 9 (range, 3 to 15), EuroScore median of 10 (range, 5 to 17) were investigated. Dominating diagnoses were dilated cardiomyopathy in 61% (n = 36) and ischemic cardiomyopathy in 18.6% (n = 11). The patients were supported with LVAD for a median time of 99.5 days (range, 1 to 873 days). Forty-five (76%) patients received transplants, and 3 (5.1%) patients were weaned from the device. Eleven patients (18.6%) died during LVAD treatment. Risk factor analysis for mortality before heart transplantation showed significance for a high total amount of autologous blood transfusions (p < 0.001), days on mechanical ventilation postoperatively (p < 0.001), prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay (p = 0.007), and high central venous pressure 24 hours postoperatively and at the final measurement (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Mortality with LVAD treatment was 18.6% (n = 11). High C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), low mean arterial pressure (p = 0.03), and high cardiac index (p = 0.03) preoperatively were risk factors for development of right ventricular failure during LVAD treatment. Conclusions. The Swedish experience with LVAD as a bridge to heart transplantation was retrospectively collected into a database. This included data from transplant and nontransplant centers. Figures of mortality and morbidity in the database were comparable to international experience. Specific risk factors were difficult to define retrospectively as a result of different protocols for follow-up among participating centers. © 2003 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Objectives. Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), used in the setting bridge-to-transplantation and destination therapy, for patients with deteriorating severe heart failure are continuously developing. The second generation, the axial flow pumps, have been introduced since some years. Design. Eleven consecutive patients, seven male, with severe heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 5), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 5) and cytotoxic ethiology (n = 1) were implanted with the HeartMate-II (TM). They were preoperatively treated with inotropic support (n = 9), ventricular assist device (n = 2) and mechanical ventilation (n = 4). Results. Eight patients were bridged to transplant after median 155 days (range, 65 to 316 days). One patient is ongoing for 748 days, intended for destination therapy. Ten of eleven patients were discharged after median 64 days (range, 40 to 105 days). Four patients were reoperated due to bleeding. Two embolic events were recorded. One perioperative death. Conclusion. Eleven HM-II (TM) LVADs have been implanted in our institution with good early results. Eight patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation. One patient is intended for destination therapy and is ongoing since November 2006. In these severely ill patients, this technique offers a good chance surviving until heart transplantation. In selected cases the technique also offers the possibility of a permanent support and longevity.

Objectives. The Impella (R) recovery axial-flow system is a mechanical assist system for use in acute heart failure. This retrospective study reports the use of the device at three cardiothoracic units in Sweden. Design. Fifty patients (35 men, mean age 55.8 years, range 26 to 84 years) underwent implantation of 26 Impella (R) LP 2.5/5.0 (support-time 0.1 to 14 days), 16 Impella (R) LD (support-time 1 to 7 days) and 8 Impella (R) RD (support-time 0.1 to 8 days) between 2003 and 2007. Implantation was performed because of postcardiotomy heart failure (surgical group, n=33) or for various states of heart failure in cardiological patients (non-surgical group, n=17). The intention for the treatments was mainly to use the pump as a obridge-to-recoveryo. Results. Early mortality in the surgical and non-surgical groups was 45% and 23%, respectively. Complications included infection, 36% and right ventricular failure, 28%. Cardiac output and cardiac power output postoperatively were significantly higher among survivors than non-survivors. Conclusions. The Impella (R) recovery axial-flow system facilitates treatment in acute heart failure. Early intervention in patients with acute heart failure and optimized hemodynamics in the post-implantation period seem to be of importance for long-term survival. Insufficient early response to therapy should urge to consider further treatment options.

Background: Chronic heart failure have a poor prognosis with high morbidity and reduced quality of life. Ventricular constraint, the CorCap Cardiac Support Device (CSD) has been introduced with the intention of inducing reverse remodeling. Studies have shown sustained improvement in left ventricular dimensions and function after three years, but quality-of-life (QoL) has been poorly studied.

Methods and Results: Since 2003, 26 patients with chronic progressive heart failure met the inclusion criteria for CSD. They were prospectively followed each year for five years postoperatively. Nineteen patients were scheduled for concomitant cardiac surgery.

In a cross-sectional study, 18 patients were investigated regarding QoL using SF-36. A reference group was randomly selected from the Swedish SF-36 general population reference group.

One-year survival for CSD-patients was 86%, three-year survival was 76%. After a mean follow-up time after surgery of 3.9 years (range; 0.9 to 7 years), no difference in QoL measured with SF-36 was found. Echocardiographic dimensions and QoL improved significantly after three years for isolated CSD patients.

Conclusions: QoL in patients operated with CSD, measured with SF-36-questionnaire, more than three years after implantation, is comparable to a matched general population reference group. In the CSD group alone, QoL improved significantly after three years.