Cited 9 times since 2015 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation, Volume 23, Issue 2, 1 1 2015, Pages 102-108 Left ventricular assist device for end-stage heart failure: results of the first LVAD destination program in the Netherlands. Haeck ML, Beeres SL, Höke U, Palmen M, Couperus LE, Delgado V, Logeman EA, Maas JJ, Klautz RJ, Schalij MJ, Verwey HF

Purpose

Mechanical circulatory support with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) may be a valuable treatment in end-stage heart failure patients for an extended period of time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of implantation of a continuous-flow LVAD in end-stage heart failure patients within the first destination program in the Netherlands.

Methods

A third-generation LVAD was implanted in 16 heart failure patients (age 61 ± 8; 81 % male; left ventricular ejection fraction 20 ± 6 %) as destination therapy. All patients were ineligible for heart transplant. At baseline, 3 and 6 months, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, quality-of-life and exercise capacity were assessed. Clinical adverse events were registered.

Results

Survival at 30 days and 6 months was 88 and 75 %, respectively. In the postoperative phase, 6 (38 %) patients required continuous veno-venous haemofiltration for renal failure and 2 (13 %) patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation because of severe right ventricular failure. During follow-up, NYHA functional class and quality-of-life improved from 3.7 ± 0.1 to 2.3 ± 0.1 and 57 ± 5 to 23 ± 3 at 6 months (P < 0.001), respectively. The 6 min walking distance improved from 168 ± 42 m to 291 ± 29 m at 6 months (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Continuous-flow LVAD therapy is a promising treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure ineligible for heart transplant.

Neth Heart J. 2015 2;23(2):102-108