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Abstract

Results: Patients had end-stage heart failure as a result of the following causes: 11 patients (45%) had ischemic cardiomyopathy, 12 patients (50%) had dilated cardiomyopathy, and 1 patient (4.1%) had acute myocarditis. Regarding use of the left ventricular assist device, 10 patients (41.6%) had the device as destination therapy, and the remaining 14 patients (48.6%) had it as bridge to transplant. The Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Profile was 1 for 3 patients (12.5%), 2 for 9 patients (37.5%), and 3 for 12 patients (50%). Mean follow-up was 239.8 days, and the mortality rate was 33.3% (8 patients died). During follow-up, we found that 3 patients (12.5%) had received a heart transplant and 1 patient (4.1%) eventually recovered, with the device extracted. Six patients had driveline infections, and 3 patients had cerebrovascular events. Conclusions: With the insufficient number of cardiac donors, use of a left ventricular assist device for patients with end-stage cardiac failure who are awaiting transplant may be the best option.