A tale of two centrifugal left ventricular assist devices

Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Effects of a left ventricular assist device with a centrifugal pump on left ventricular diastolic hemodynamics.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze how left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with a centrifugal pump alters left ventricular diastolic hemodynamics and energy by means of a left ventricular pressure volume relationship. Fifteen anesthetized normal pig hearts were studied after placement of an apical drainage LVAD with a centrifugal pump. Indices of the left ventricular isovolumic ...

Cerebrovascular complications of left ventricular assist devices.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly being used as a bridge to heart transplantation or destination therapy. It is unclear which antithrombotic regimen should be used to reduce the risk of stroke. We systematically reviewed the literature on all types of antithrombotic regimens and stroke in patients with any type of LVADs. Our primary outcome measure was the mean incidence ...

Left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy.

Although an estimated 16,500 Americans annually could benefit from a heart transplant, in 1999 only 2184 heart transplants were performed in the United States. These statistics emphasize the severity of the shortage of available hearts for transplantation. Circulatory support provided by an implantable Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) that meets Food and Drug Administration approval as des...

Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Engineering Design Considerations

Patients with end-stage congestive heart failure awaiting heart transplantation often wait long periods of time (300 days or more on the average) before a suitable donor heart becomes available. The medical community has placed increased emphasis on the use of Left Ventricular Assist Devices or LVADs that can substitute for, or enhance, the function of the natural heart while the patient is wai...