Paracorporeal biventricular mechanical circulatory support for more than 4 years

published online 05 February 2010.

We present a patient who was evaluated for heart transplantation, but because of acute cardiac decompensation with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and multiorgan failure, had the indication for biventricular mechanical circulatory support. The patient was maintained on mechanical circulatory support for more than 4 years until he became eligible to receive a heart allograft.

Key words: biventricular mechanical circulatory support, permanent, paracorporal, heart failure, heart transplantation, Berlin Heart Excor, compliance

Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Reprint requests: Thorsten Drews, MD, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Telephone: +49-30-4593-2076. Fax: +49-30-8596-5150

PII: S1053-2498(09)01528-9

doi:10.1016/j.healun.2009.12.007

16 of 23