Improved durability of the HeartMate XVE left ventricular assist device provides safe mechanical support up to 1 year but is associated with high risk of device failure in the second year.

Background: Life-threatening device failure of the HeartMate VE due to biologic inflow valve incompetence or motor failure is a major drawback of long-term mechanical support when using this left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The new XVE model is the result of recent technical improvements. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance and durability of the new and earlier HeartMate versions.

Implantable left ventricular assist device for treatment of pulmonary hypertension in candidates for orthotopic heart transplantation-a preliminary study.

Objectives: Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) unresponsive to pharmacological intervention is a major limitation in heart transplantation (HTX). The post-operative course of these patients is associated with an increased risk of life-threatening right heart failure. We evaluated the efficiency of an implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to decrease PVR by unloading the left ventricle and to lower the risk of later orthotopic HTX.

[Severe heart failure: treatment optimisation and monitoring using plasma NT-proBNP levels--an useful tool in clinical practice].

A young patient presented with a cardiomegaly of unknown origin. The cardiologic examination revealed a severe eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy and a dilatation of the other heart cavities as well as a strongly impaired global systolic function. The patient was treated with an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic and with a beta-blocking agent.

[Mechanical circulatory assist devices in acute and chronic heart failure].

The clinical use of mechanical circulatory assist devices as bridge to transplantation has been proved as life-saving therapy in a large population of patients. Learning from the clinical experience the construction of the blood pumps has been markedly improved over the last years. The better outcome of the patients has enabled a broader use of ventricular assist devices.