Abstract

The end-stage cardiomyopathy is an increasing worldwide problem. Cardiac transplantation lacks sufficient donors to treat all patients, and there is thus debate about alternative strategies. The use of left ventricular assist devices for long-term support is increasing with a positive impact on patient survival. Although there is an ongoing debate regarding the risks and benefits of maintaining pulsatile flow during long-term ventricular assist device support, there has been a significant move towards implantation of continuous flow devices due to the lower surgical morbidity and better long-term reliability of these pumps. The following is a review of the literature on continuous and pulsatile flow for long-term support. Starting from the definition of flow, we analyze the current evidence and consider gastrointestinal complications.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Sansone F, Zingarelli E, Flocco R, Dato GM, Parisi F, Punta G, Forsennati PG, Bardi GL, Del Ponte S, Patanè F, Casabona R

Institution

Division of Cardiac Surgery, Mauriziano Umberto I Hospital, L.goTurati 62, 10135 Turin, Italy. fabrisans@katamail.com

Source

Transplantation reviews (Orlando, Fla.) 26:4 2012 Oct pg 241-5

MeSH

Heart Failure
Heart-Assist Devices
Hemodynamics
Humans
Morbidity
Pulsatile Flow
Risk Factors

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22835486