Placement of long-term implantable ventricular assist devices without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Implantation of ventricular assist devices for cardiac support is normally performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Post-operative complications could be minimized by the placement of these devices without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: We hypothesize that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), in selected patients, can be implanted safely off-pump.

Results: In 25 patients, LVADs were implanted off-pump (mean age 50 years; 64% male, 36% female; average left ventricular ejection fraction 15%). Pre-operatively 68% of patients were on inotropes, 25% had an intra-aortic ballon pump, and 44% had a previous sternotomy. Blood utilization intra- and post-operatively was relatively minimal with 1 re-exploration for bleeding. There were 3 deaths.

Conclusions: We describe a technique for successful placement of a left ventricular assist device without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.