| Popis: |
The goal of this chapter is to present the data from pivotal trials that have studied the outcomes of patients with end-stage heart failure who were deemed ineligible for heart transplantation in whom left ventricular assist devices were used as destination therapy. Data suggest left ventricular assist devices are superior to optimal medical therapy in this subgroup as well as in patients >70 years old. Adverse events are a concern but comparable to other LVAD subgroups. However, patient quality of life and functional status improved with destination therapy LVADs. Future directions of LVAD design may one day minimize risk, improve quality of life, and obviate the need for heart transplant altogether. |
