Abstract

Implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used primarily as bridges to cardiac transplantation, although some patients have been maintained long term on these devices and a few have recovered enough to be weaned. This trial was designed to evaluate their suitability as long-term myocardial replacement therapy in patients who are ineligible for cardiac transplantation.One hundred twenty-nine patients with end-stage heart failure who were ineligible for cardiac transplantation were randomly assigned to receive an LVAD (Thoratec HeartMate; Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) or optimal medical therapy, with a primary end point of all-cause mortality. To be eligible, patients had to have New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV heart failure for at least 90 days despite attempted therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, diuretics, and digoxin; an ejection fraction

View details for PubMedID 12016626