Cavopulmonary anastomosis improves left ventricular assist device support in acute biventricular failure.

Objective: Right ventricular failure during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support can result in severe hemodynamic compromise with high mortality. This study investigated the acute effects of cavopulmonary anastomosis on right ventricular loading and LVAD performance in a model of severe biventricular failure.

Methods: LVAD support was performed by means of centrifugal pump implantation in 14 anesthetized dogs (20-30 kg) with severe biventricular failure obtained by ventricular fibrillation induction.

Left ventricular circulatory support as bridge to heart transplantation in Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy.

This study was performed to assess the safety and feasibility of the implantation of ventricular assist devices (VADs) as a bridge to heart transplantation in patients with advanced biventricular failure due to Chagas' disease. Six patients were submitted to paracorporeal left VAD implantation, while right ventricular dysfunction was managed clinically. The mean time of circulatory support was 27 days.