The DuraHeart VAD, a magnetically levitated centrifugal pump: the University of Vienna bridge-to-transplant experience.

Background: The clinical application of the DuraHeart (Terumo Heart Inc, USA) has begun in Europe as a clinical trial of a third-generation implantable centrifugal blood pump. Four successful clinical implants are presented.

Methods And Results: Four male patients had end-stage left heart failure and received a DuraHeart VAD as a left ventricular assist device for bridge-to-transplantation.