The HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD): A Single Institutional 10-Year Experience.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze our 10-year experience with the HVAD in a real-world scenario in a high-volume German heart center.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of adults (≥18 years) with terminal heart failure (HF), who underwent HVAD implantation for durable LVAD therapy in our center between October 2009 and March 2020. Primary and secondary end points were all-cause death after implantation and LVAD-associated complications, respectively.

Donor-recipient risk assessment tools in heart transplant recipients: the Bad Oeynhausen experience.

Aims: Some risk assessment tools have been developed to categorize mortality risk in heart transplant recipients, but it is unclear whether these tools can be used interchangeable in different transplant regions.

Methods And Results: We performed a retrospective single-centre study in 1049 adult German heart transplant recipients under jurisdiction of Eurotransplant. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to generate a risk scoring system.

Clinical findings associated with incomplete hemodynamic left ventricular unloading in patients with a left ventricular assist device.

Introduction And Objectives: The effect of a centrifugal continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cfLVAD) on hemodynamic left ventricular unloading (HLVU) and the clinical conditions that interfere with hemodynamic optimization are not well defined.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the likelihood of incomplete HLVU, defined as high pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (hPCWP)> 15mmHg in 104 ambulatory cfLVAD patients when the current standard recommendations for cfLVAD rotor speed setting were applied. We also evaluated the ability of clinical, hemodynamic and echocardiographic variables to predict hPCWP in ambulatory cfLVAD patients.

Clinical implications of late-onset right ventricular failure after implantation of a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation.

Objectives: The development of late-onset right ventricular failure (LoRVF) that occurs months after a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is implanted is a clinical problem that warrants investigation. Our goal was to study the incidence, clinical manifestations and prognosis of LoRVF in a population of patients who received an LVAD as bridge to transplantation.

Methods: Data were analysed from 97 consecutive patients who received an LVAD as bridge to transplantation and underwent a right heart catheterization at least 3 months after receiving an LVAD implantation.