Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-2-26
pubmed:abstractText
Ventricular assist devices are used to support the failing circulation and consequently bridge patients with end-stage heart disease to heart transplantation. From 1988 through 2000 we mechanically supported 47 patients with a bridge to heart transplantation. Within the same time frame 118 patients were mechanically supported for recovery of the heart. Most presented in acute cardiac failure, and the severe shock leads to high early mortality. Mortality during mechanical support is 36%. During the early experience patients underwent transplantation urgently. With the more recent implantable devices, patients are fully mobilized and given transplants electively. Long-term survival of these patients bridged to transplantation is excellent and does not differ from that for non-bridged patients (5-year survival is 82% for the bridged patients and 84% for the non-bridged patients; p = 0.43). The most frequent device-related problem is excessive bleeding (38%). Thromboembolic phenomena are the most cumbersome complications (11%). The strategy of bridging to heart transplantation has evolved from acute resuscitation and urgent transplantation to medium- and long-term support to optimize the patient's condition. New experience with long-term support and alternative support strategies has created possibilities in the field of "alternatives to heart transplantation."
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
0364-2313
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
26
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
212-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
Bridging procedures to heart transplantation.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Cardiac Surgery, KU Leuven, UZ Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. bart.meyns@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article