Circulation Journal
Online ISSN : 1347-4820
Print ISSN : 1346-9843
ISSN-L : 1346-9843
Cardiovascular Surgery
DuraHeartTM Magnetically Levitated Left Ventricular Assist Device
– Osaka University Experience –
Taichi SakaguchiGoro MatsumiyaDaisuke YoshiokaShigeru MiyagawaHiroyuki NishiYasushi YoshikawaSatsuki FukushimaShunsuke SaitoTakayoshi UenoYoshiki Sawa
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2013 Volume 77 Issue 7 Pages 1736-1741

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Abstract

Background: The DuraHeart left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is the world’s first approved magnetically levitated implantable centrifugal pump. We report our initial experience with the DuraHeart as a bridge to heart transplantation. Methods and Results: Between 2008 and 2011, 23 patients (17 males; mean age 35 years, range 16–53 years) with endstage heart failure underwent implantation with the DuraHeart LVAD at Osaka University Hospital. Of those, 7 underwent conversion surgery from a Nipro paracorporeal LVAD to the DuraHeart. There were no deaths during the mean support period of 559±241 days (176–999 days). In total, 17 patients (74%) remain with the LVAD and 5 (22%) underwent heart transplantation after 580±302 days (176–982 days) of support. Major adverse events included 8 (34%) driveline/pocket infections, 4 (17%) cerebrovascular accidents, 4 (17%) right heart failures requiring mechanical support, and 3 (13%) mechanical device failures (magnetic levitation failure caused by driveline fracture). Of the 5 patients who developed pump pocket infection, 3 underwent previous conversion surgery from the Nipro LVAD. Conclusions: Our initial experience with the DuraHeart LVAD in Japan demonstrated excellent long-term survival with acceptable rates of adverse events. With refinement of the system, including mechanical durability, this pump will further enhance the quality of life for patients who require long-term mechanical circulatory support.  (Circ J 2013; 77: 1736–1741)

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© 2013 THE JAPANESE CIRCULATION SOCIETY
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