Initial experience with the Abiomed AB5000 ventricular assist device system.

Purpose: We describe our initial experience with the Abiomed AB5000 ventricular assist device (VAD).

Description: The Abiomed AB5000 VAD is a system recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration that consists of a fully automatic, vacuum-assisted console and a paracorporeal, pneumatically driven blood pump. The VAD is designed for short or intermediate term use. The console is designed to support the BVS5000 or AB5000 blood pumps. The cannulas and implantation are similar to the BVS5000 system.

Evaluation: Four cases are described in which two AB5000 systems were placed de novo and two were transitioned from previously placed BVS5000 units. Hemolysis was observed in 2 cases. The AB5000 VAD flows were generally 4.0 to 4.5 L/min, approximately 0.5 L/min less than the BVS5000. Echocardiography demonstrated high-velocity jets from the inflow cannula in the 2 hemolysis cases. One patient died of multiorgan system failure while on support, 2 were successfully weaned from support and transferred to long-term care facilities, and 1 was weaned from support and successfully discharged to home.

Conclusions: The AB5000 VAD is a versatile paracorporeal pneumatic VAD that can be placed de novo or transitioned from a previously placed BVS5000 unit without the need for additional surgery. Lower outputs, high-velocity jets, and hemolysis were observed in 2 of 4 cases. Modifications in cannulas design and placement as well as console reconfigurations may be necessary to optimize performance.