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BACKGROUND: A lifetime mechanical solution for advanced heart failure must be reliable, with a low risk of life-threatening complications. After extensive laboratory testing, we began clinical trials with an axial flow pump for long-term treatment of New York Heart Association class IV, transplant-ineligible patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Jarvik 2000 is a continuous flow device that is implanted in the apex of the left ventricle with offloading to the descending thoracic aorta. Skull-based percutaneous power delivery was derived from cochlear implant technology. We used this system in 4 patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Exercise capacity, quality of life, device parameters, and native heart function were monitored serially. One patient died from right heart failure at 3 months. The other patients were discharged from hospital between 3 and 8 weeks postoperatively and are currently New York Heart Association I or II. Follow-up lasted between 9 and 20 months. There has been no device failure or hemolysis. Native heart function and quality of life were markedly improved. CONCLUSIONS: The Jarvik 2000 is a true assist (rather than replacement) device that functions synergistically with the native left ventricle and provides excellent quality of life. Adverse events are infrequent. This blood pump may provide a mechanical solution for end-stage heart failure in the community.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Circulation

Publication Date

04/06/2002

Volume

105

Pages

2588 - 2591

Keywords

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Aged, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Body Weight, Cardiac Surgical Procedures, Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, Echocardiography, Equipment Design, Exercise Tolerance, Follow-Up Studies, Heart Failure, Heart Function Tests, Heart Ventricles, Heart-Assist Devices, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications, Quality of Life, Recovery of Function, Survival Rate, Thrombosis, Time, Treatment Outcome, Ventricular Dysfunction