Can a pulsatile left ventricular assist device provide destination therapy for patients with severe heart failure?

摘要

This was a small, nonrandomized, observational assessment of the Novacor LVAD, conducted at 13 treatment centers in the US and Canada from March 2000 to May 2003. Patients were enrolled if they had inotrope-dependent stage D/NYHA class IV HF and a LV ejection fraction of less than 25%. None of the patients were candidates for heart transplantation at the time of enrollment, and all had been treated with beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, digoxin, and diuretics.