Improved early survival with the total artificial heart

Artif Organs. 2004 Feb;28(2):161-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2004.47335.x.

Abstract

We report our experience with the total artificial heart (TAH) to determine if outcomes have improved. Thirty-one patients received the TAH as a bridge to transplant and were divided into the two groups A (eighteen implanted in the first eight years) and B (thirteen implanted in the last eight years). Changes in management included immediate sternal closure, early extubation, delayed transplant listing, early rehabilitation, and measurement of preformed antibodies. The infection rate in B was lower than in A, both during support (31% versus 39%) and following transplant (38% versus 72%), and rejection was lower in B than in A (0% versus 44%). There was no difference in neurological events between groups; however, reopening was more frequent in B (61% versus 28%). Hospital survival increased from 61% in A to 85% in B; however, this was not statistically significant. We hypothesize that this improvement was likely due to changes in patient management.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / etiology
  • Heart Failure / surgery*
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Heart, Artificial*
  • Humans
  • Infections / etiology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prospective Studies
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / surgery
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome