Background A growing number of patients with end-stage heart failure undergo implantation of ventricular assist devices as a bridge to heart transplantation.
Objectives In this study we investigated whether functional and haemodynamic recovery after implantation is sufficient to warrant the use of them as long-term alternative to heart transplantation.
Methods We compared peak VO2
of a group of patients three months after implantation of a ventricular assist device and three months after heart transplantation. Furthermore, we analysed the degree of haemodynamic recovery, by comparing plasma levels of BNP and creatinine before and after implantation of the device.
Results After implantation of a ventricular assist device, exercise capacity improved considerably; three months after implantation peak VO2 was 20.0±4.9 ml/kg/min (52% of predicted for age and gender). After heart transplantation exercise capacity improved even further; 24.0±3.9 ml/ kg/min (62% of predicted for age and gender) (p<0.001). In the three months after implantation, BNP plasma levels decreased from 570±307 pmol/l to 31±25 pmol/l and creatinine levels decreased from 191±82 μmol/l to 82±25 μmol/l, indicating significant unloading of the ventricles and haemodynamic recovery.
Conclusion With regard to functional and haemodynamic recovery, the effect of implantation of a ventricular assist device is sufficient to justify its use as an alternative to heart transplantation. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:41-6.)
