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Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The clinical profile and outcomes of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) or veno-arterial-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VAV-ECMO) are poorly understood. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of these patients and to identify predictors of both favourable and unfavourable outcomes. METHODS ECMOSARS is a multicentre, prospective, nationwide French registry enrolling patients who require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)/VA-ECMO in the context of COVID-19 infection (652 patients at 41 centres). We focused on 47 patients supported with VA- or VAV-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock. RESULTS The median age was 49. Fourteen percent of patients had a prior diagnosis of heart failure. The most common aetiologies of cardiogenic shock were acute pulmonary embolism (30%), myocarditis (28%) and acute coronary syndrome (4%). Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) occurred in 38%. In-hospital survival was 28% in the whole cohort, and 43% when E-CPR patients were excluded. ECMO cannulation was associated with significant improvements in pH and FiO2 on day 1, but non-survivors showed significantly more severe acidosis and higher FiO2 than survivors at this point (P  = 0.030 and P  = 0.006). Other factors associated with death were greater age (P  = 0.02), higher body mass index (P  = 0.03), E-CPR (P  = 0.001), non-myocarditis aetiology (P  = 0.02), higher serum lactates (P  = 0.004), epinephrine (but not noradrenaline) use before initiation of ECMO (P  = 0.003), haemorrhagic complications (P  = 0.001), greater transfusion requirements (P  = 0.001) and more severe Survival after Veno-Arterial ECMO (SAVE) and Sonographic Assessment of Intravascular Fluid Estimate (SAFE) scores (P  = 0.01 and P  = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS We report the largest focused analysis of VA- and VAV-ECMO recipients in COVID-19. Although relatively rare, the need for temporary mechanical circulatory support in these patients is associated with poor prognosis. However, VA-ECMO remains a viable solution to rescue carefully selected patients. We identified factors associated with poor prognosis and suggest that E-CPR is not a reasonable indication for VA-ECMO in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES To describe the use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) in children in Spain and to identify variables related to survival. METHODS This is an observational cohort study of all children younger than 18 years of age who underwent an initial implantation of a VAD at any of the 6 paediatric heart transplant centres from May 2006 to December 2020. Subjects were identified retrospectively from each hospital's database. RESULTS Paracorporeal VADs were implanted in 118 children [pulsatile (63%), continuous (30.5%) or both types (5.9%)]. Small children (<0.7 m2 of body surface area) comprised the majority of this cohort (63.3%). Overall, 67% survived to VAD explantation, and 64.9% survived to hospital discharge. Non-central nervous system haemorrhage (39%) and stroke (38.1%) were the most common complications. Body weight <5 kg, congenital heart disease, pre-implantation bilirubin >34 μmol/l and bridge to decision strategy were associated with a higher mortality at hospital discharge and in the long-term. Interagency registry for mechanically assisted circulatory support (INTERMACS) status 1 and cardiac arrest prior to VAD implantation were related to long-term mortality, whereas pre-implantation renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were not related to mortality. CONCLUSIONS In Spain, 67% of the VAD-supported children have been bridged to heart transplantation or to recovery. Body weight lower than 5 kg, congenital heart disease diagnosis, cholestatic liver dysfunction, bridge to decision as VAD strategy, INTERMACS-1 status and cardiac arrest were pre-implantation variables related to mortality, whereas pre-implantation renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Our goal was to assess the safety, outcomes and complication rate of axillary artery cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on data obtained from the review of medical charts of all consecutive patients undergoing VA-ECMO implantation between January 2013 and December 2017 at a teaching hospital. Only patients with right axillary VA-ECMO implantation in a non-emergency setting were included. Post-procedural outcomes and local and systemic complications were analysed. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-four [131 male (75.3%), 43 female (24.7%); mean age 56.8 ± 15.1 years] patients underwent femoral-axillary VA-ECMO. Indications were cardiogenic shock from any cause (n  = 78, 44.8%) or post-cardiotomy syndrome (n  = 96, 55.2%). Fifty-three (30.5%) patients died while on VA-ECMO support. At the time of VA-ECMO ablation, 89 (51.1%) patients had recovered; 13 (7.5%) patients were bridged to a long-term mechanical support device and 19 (10.9%) patients underwent heart transplants. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality was 36.2% (n  = 63) and 49.4% (n  = 86), respectively. The 1-year survival rate of patients who were weaned from VA-ECMO support was 72.7% (n  = 88). The complications of axillary cannulation were bleeding (n  = 7, 4%), local infection (n  = 3, 1.7%), upper limb ischaemia (n  = 2, 1.1%) and brachial plexus injury (n  = 1, 0.6%). Left ventricle unloading was required for 9 (5.2%) patients. The median duration of VA-ECMO support was 7 (range 1–26) days. CONCLUSIONS Right axillary artery cannulation is a safe and reliable method for VA-ECMO support with a low rate of local complications. In the absence of a control group with femoro-femoral cannulation, no definitive conclusion about the superiority of axillary over femoral cannulation can be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Ethical and health care economic concerns surround the use of venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in elderly patients. Patients requiring VA-ECMO are often in critical condition and the decision to cannulate is time-sensitive. We investigated the relationship between age and VA-ECMO outcomes to better inform this decision. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 355 patients placed on VA-ECMO between March 2007 and August 2016 at our institution. Using piecewise modelling, age became associated with in-hospital mortality after 63 years. Based on further analysis with the v2 statistic maximization, patients were divided into 2 age groups: <72 years old [Group Y (Young), n = 310] and >72 years old [Group O (Old), n = 45]. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify preoperative predictors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Patients over the age of 72 had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities, including coronary disease, previous strokes and chronic kidney disease. Weaning from ECMO was achieved in 76% of Group Y and 47% of Group O (P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 52% among Group Y and 69% among Group O (P = 0.037). Multivariable logistic regression using preoperative risk factors identified coronary artery disease, acute decompensated heart failure and an age >72 years as independent predictors of mortality (age >72 years: odds ratio 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.22-6.00; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: VA-ECMO in-hospital mortality is considerable across all age groups. However, age only becomes associated with mortality after 63 years and rises dramatically after 72 years. This study provides useful insight into these time-sensitive decisions for the development of possible practice guidelines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular (RV) failure complicating left ventricular assist device implantation is associated with increased mortality. Despite a lack of supporting evidence, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is increasingly being used as an alternative to traditional temporary RV support. We report our institutional experience with ECMO-facilitated RV support after left ventricular assist device implantation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the concept of temporary ECMO support for perioperative RV failure in 32 consecutive left ventricular assist device (mean age 52 ± 14 years; male 84.4%; ischaemic cardiomyopathy 40.6%; INTERMACS Level I 71.8%; INTERMACS Level II 6.3%; INTERMACS Level III 12.5%; INTERMACS Level IV-VII 9.4%; HeartWare ventricular assist device 75%; HeartMate II: 25%) from May 2009 to April 2014. The study end points were RV recovery during ECMO support, mortality and causes of death. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (90.6%) patients were successfully weaned from ECMO support after RV recovery. Three (9.4%) patients expired during ECMO support. ECMO support improved RV function and haemodynamic parameters (central venous pressure 13mmHg vs 10 mmHg, P < 0.01; mean pulmonary artery pressure 28mmHg vs 21 mmHg, P < 0.01; cardiac output 5.1 l/min vs 5.9 l/min, P = 0.09) over a median period of 3 (range 1-15) days. Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality were 18.8% and 25%, respectively. One-year survival was 75%, causes of death were multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (50%), sepsis (25%), haemorrhagic stroke (12.5%) and ischaemic stroke (12.5%). Causes of death during ECMO support were ischaemic stroke, sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary ECMO-facilitated RV support is associated with good long-term outcomes and high rates of RV recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Advanced chronic heart failure (ACHF) is progressive with poor prognosis and quality of life (QoL). Heart transplantation (HTx) is an effective treatment for ACHF, but is limited by scarcity of donor hearts. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is a useful bridging therapy, and short- and medium-term outcomes have improved. We investigated QoL in patients assessed for HTx, awaiting HTx and after HTx. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional survey across four groups: Group 1--patients assessed for HTx, Group 2--patients listed for HTx on medical therapy, Group 3--patients supported with LVAD and Group 4--patients after HTx. Two questionnaires, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and the EuroQol dimensions (EQ-5D), were administered in all adult HTx centres in the UK. Scores calculated for the KCCQ and EQ-5D were compared. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-six patients completed questionnaires: 194 in Group 1, 28 in Group 2, 82 in Group 3 and 82 in Group 4. Patients after HTx reported the best QoL [KCCQ overall summary score: mean 73.0 (SD 27.2)]; patients with LVAD reported better QoL than those being assessed for HTx and those listed for HTx on medical therapy [overall summary score; LVAD: 52.6 (22.0), Listed on medical therapy: 33.3 (21.1), Assessment: 35.5 (21.5)]. Similarly, EQ-5D scores were highest in patients after HTx [HTx: mean 0.74 (0.27); LVAD: 0.58 (0.26), Listed on medical therapy: 0.44 (0.27), Assessment: 0.50 (SD 0.30)]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients supported with LVAD had a significantly better QoL than those awaiting HTx without LVAD support, although HTx patients reported the best QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Mechanical cardiac support (MCS) can successfully be applied as a bridging strategy for heart transplantation (OHTx) in children with life-threatening heart failure. Emergent use of MCS is often required before establishing the likelihood of OHTx. This can require bridge-to-bridge strategies to increase survival on the waiting list. We compared the outcome of children with heart failure who underwent single MCS with those who required multiple MCS as a bridge to OHTx. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients aged less than 16 years was conducted. From March 1998 to October 2005, we used either a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VA-ECMO), or the Medos® para-corporeal ventricular assist device (VAD). From November 2005 onwards, the Berlin Heart EXCOR® (BHE) device was implanted in the majority of cases. Several combinations of bridge-to-bridge strategies have been used: VA-ECMO and then conversion to BHE; BHE and then conversion to VA-ECMO; left VAD and then upgraded to biventricular support (BIVAD); conversion from pulsatile to continuous-flow pumps. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients received MCS with the intent to bridge to OHTx, including 21 (23%) supported with more than one modality. The mean age and weight at support was similar in both groups, but multimodality MCS was used more often in infancy (P = 0.008) and in children less than 10 kg in weight (P = 0.02). The mean duration of support was longer in the multiple MCS group: 40 ± 48 vs 84 ± 43 days (P = 0.0003). Usage of multimodality MCS in dilated cardiomyopathy (19%) and in other diagnoses (29%) was comparable. Incidence of major morbidity (haematological sequelae, cerebrovascular events and sepsis) was similar in both groups. Survival to OHTx/explantation of the device (recovery) and survival to discharge did not differ between single MCS and multiple MCS groups (78 vs 81% and 72 vs 76%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Bridge to OHTx with multiple MCS does not seem to influence the outcome in our population. Infancy and body weight less than 10 kg do not tend to produce higher mortality in the multiple MCS group. However, children receiving more than one modality are supported for longer durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with high mortality. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an atrial septostomy with a membrane oxygenator incorporated in an LVAD as a novel approach for right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation. METHODS: The outflow and inflow cannulae were placed in the carotid artery and left ventricular apex, respectively. A centrifugal pump and an oxygenator were sequentially placed between the inflow and outflow cannulae in seven anesthetized goats. While right ventricular failure was induced by pulmonary artery banding, a balloon atrial septostomy was performed using a 19-mm balloon catheter under echocardiographic guidance. We investigated the effects of the interatrial shunt on LVAD flow and haemodynamics. RESULTS: Development of right ventricular failure decreased LVAD flow (2.7 ± 0.6-0.9 ± 0.6 l/min), causing a state of shock [mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 41 ± 12 mmHg]. Following a balloon atrial septostomy, LVAD flow and MAP were significantly improved to 2.7 ± 0.4 l/ min (P < 0.001) and 53 ± 18 mmHg (P = 0.006), respectively, while right atrial pressure decreased from 18 ± 5 to 15 ± 5 mmHg (P = 0.001). Furthermore, arterial blood oxygenation was maintained by the membrane oxygenator incorporated in the LVAD. CONCLUSIONS: In the present model of right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation, LVAD flow was significantly increased and haemodynamics improved without compromising systemic oxygenation by the use of an interatrial shunt and a membrane oxygenator incorporated in the LVAD. Our results indicate that this novel approach may be less invasive for a right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical results (both early and at follow-up) of patients currently receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy for cardiac and/or pulmonary failure. To assess the effect of indications, clinical presentations and ECMO modalities on early/late clinical outcomes. To identify baseline factors associated with worse survival at follow-up. METHODS We reviewed the prospectively collected data of 325 patients receiving ECMO therapy at a tertiary referral centre during the 2005–2013 period. Follow-up was prospectively conducted by dedicated personnel (average: 84 ± 86 days, 100% complete). Survival was analysed by stratified Kaplan–Meier curves. RESULTS Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO was employed in 80% of cases (due to early graft failure (EGF) in 13% of cases, post-cardiotomy in 29%, primary cardiogenic shock in 42% for miscellaneous aetiologies, other indications in 15.4%) and veno-venous (VV) ECMO in the remainders (adult respiratory distress syndrome). In the VA and VV groups, weaning rates were 59 and 53%, survival at 30th postimplantation day was 44 and 45% and survival at the end of the follow-up was 41 and 45%, respectively. Implantation under advanced life support (ALS) occurred in 15% of cases (26% survival at 30 days). VA patients had a higher rate of thrombotic/haemorrhagic complications and of transfusion of blood products and shorter ventilation time. Worse early and follow-up survival were observed among patients aged ≥65 years, having pH ≤ 7, lactates >12 mmol/l, creatinine >200 μmol/l at implantation or receiving ECMO under ALS. No difference in survival was noted among VA vs VV patients. Patients receiving ECMO for EGF displayed better early and late survival (64% at 30 days and 53% at 6 months) than post-cardiotomy (36 and 34%, respectively), post-acute myocardial infarction (48 and 40%) and the remaining patients (46 and 45%). CONCLUSIONS Despite most critical baseline conditions, ECMO therapy is confirmed useful for the treatment of patients with acute cardiopulmonary failure refractory to conventional treatments. The ECMO modality (VA vs VV), as well as indications to support, identifies different patient profiles and dissimilar outcomes. Preimplantation markers of gravity and end-organ damage are useful in the stratification of expected survival. These may facilitate clinical decision-making and appropriate allocation of hospital resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES From 2004 to 2009, rotary blood pumps were implanted for heart failure as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy in 101 male and 14 female patients at our institution. We report on our experiences of these patients with a follow-up of 132 patient years. METHODS Seventy-four HeartMate II axial flow pumps and 41 HeartWare centrifugal pumps were implanted in patients with non-ischaemic (n = 70) or ischaemic cardiomyopathy (n = 45). The mean age of the patients was 50 ± 13 years. All patients were on inotropic support prior to implantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used as a bridging procedure in 21 cases. RESULTS The perioperative mortality was 14%. Hospital discharge occurred on average after 46 ± 33 days. Twenty-two patients of this cohort received a heart transplant 492 ± 342 days after implantation of the device. Two patients died after heart transplantation. A 1-year survival of 73% and a 2-year survival of 69% were recorded, despite a low incidence of transplant procedures. The longest support time was 1686 days. CONCLUSIONS Modern left ventricular assist device technology can be used successfully for heart failure. The scarcity of donor hearts leads to prolonged periods on the device, and chronic ventricular assist device therapy has become a reality, although bridge to transplant was intended; therefore, sufficient support services for outpatient care of these patients are required. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Objective: Left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation complicated by early right ventricle (RV) failure has a poor prognosis. This study details our center''s experience with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as perioperative RV support in patients with preoperative biventricular failure undergoing LVAD implantation. Methods: Ten patients, who underwent LVAD implantation, were retrospectively analyzed. Six patients were already supported with ECMO before LVAD implantation. In four patients, the ECMO was implanted before weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: All patients showed reduced RV function with elevated right-ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD) (38±4mm) and RV systolic pressure (48±14mmHg). The mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was 36±9mmHg. Nine patients showed dilatation of the tricuspid annulus (≥35mm) with moderate tricuspid valve insufficiency and received tricuspid valve annuloplasty. After removal of the ECMO, none of the patients developed RV failure. ECMO was removed 4±1 days after LVAD implantation. Four patients expired while on LVAD support due to not-device-related sepsis (two patients), mesenteric ischemia (one patient), and gastrointestinal bleeding (one patient), respectively. Overall survival was 60%. Conclusion: ECMO provided a satisfactory perioperative right-heart support in patients with preoperative biventricular failure undergoing LVAD implantations, who otherwise were better candidates for biventricular assist device. ECMO allowed time for the already compromised right ventricle to get attuned to the increasing preload, and avoids distension and RV failure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Infants and young children are considered the most difficult group to bridge to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and data regarding outcomes are scarce. Methods: We reviewed our patients ≤10kg with those who were bridged to OHT using ventricular assist device (VAD) Berlin Heart (BH) Excor±extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) between 2004 and 2009. Results: Eleven children ≤10kg with end-stage heart failure (cardiomyopathy or myocarditis) were treated with VAD as bridge to OHT: the median weight was 8.0 (range 3.9–10.0kg)kg and median age was 12.3 (range 1.2–33.9 months) months. Five (45%) required ECMO support pre-BH and six were on mechanical ventilation and inotropes. In 9/11 (82%), the support mode was left ventricular assist device (L-VAD) (all alive): one of two patients needing Bi-VAD support died. On BH, the median support time was 27 days and time to extubation was 8 days. Two out of 11 (18%) suffered strokes confirmed on brain imaging; both recovered and one underwent resection of infarcted small bowel. Ten out of 11 (91%) were transplanted, one remains in hospital and nine are at home in good health. When compared to patients >10kg bridged with BH (n =15), the mortality (p =0.51) and rates of neurological complications (p =0.54) were similar. Post-transplant recovery (ventilation times and time to home discharge) was similar between the bridged children ≤10kg and non-bridged children ≤10kg who underwent OHT. Conclusions: Mechanical bridging to transplantation is clinically feasible in children ≤10kg, achieving excellent outcomes. Judicious use of VADs in smaller children will optimise the use of donor organs; however, the effect on overall OHT waiting times, if mechanical bridging was extended to a large number of small children, is unknown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Primary cardiac lymphomas (PCLs) are rare in immunocompetent patients. Their clinical presentation is highly variable and in case of cardiogenic shock, death is often inevitable with a diagnosis made post-mortem. We report the case of a 65-year old immunocompetent man with cardiogenic shock requiring emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Soon after, a diagnosis of PCL was given and chemotherapy was delivered under ECMO support. The patient was progressively weaned from the mechanical support. Six months later, he had fully recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 49-year old female presented with severe heart failure with end-organ dysfunction and was placed on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to a decision for end-organ recovery. While on ECMO, the patient developed massive haemoptysis after a Swan-Ganz catheter manipulation. The haemoptysis was not controllable by conventional methods including bronchoscopy with cold saline and epinephrine lavage, bronchial blocker or angiography. The endotracheal tube was clamped to provide tamponade and the patient relied on full ECMO support for 36 h. After the haemoptysis resolved, the endotracheal tube was unclamped. The patient developed adult respiratory distress syndrome and was ventilated using the ARDSnet protocol with continued support from ECMO. On post-ECMO day 20, the patient underwent a successful ECMO wean and a Heart Mate II left ventricular assist device placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of acute tamponade of the left paracorporeal pump house in a patient supported by a Berlin Heart EXCOR biventricular assist device (BiVAD) caused by mechanical defect in the membrane of the arterial chamber. A 36-year old male was admitted for composite graft surgery due to a large aortic regurgitation and consecutive heart failure, decompensated postoperatively and was rescued by with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) device. He was accepted for heart transplantation, and a BiVAD (Berlin Heart EXCOR) was implanted as bridge-to-transplantation. Two months after discharge, he experienced dyspnoea and received error signals from his BiVAD. Relatives released him from his BiVAD companion driver, connected him to the hand pump and transported him to our institution. On arrival, he was in cardiogenic shock and was stabilized by ECMO. Inspection of the arterial chamber revealed a wear hole and delamination of the diaphragm, which had led to a tamponade by air insufflation into the three-layer membrane. New BiVAD paracorporeal pumps were connected, and the patient was subsequently successfully transplanted. The case depicts the difficulty of diagnosis in this specific patient setting. Despite transparent design of the BiVAD chambers, the development of a chamber tamponade remained undetected until explantation of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a routine treatment for patients with advanced heart failure as a bridge to transplantation. The aim of this study was to present our institutional experience and mid-term outcomes after implantation of 139 continuous-flow (cf) LVADs as a bridge to transplantation. METHODS One hundred and thirty-nine consecutive LVAD implantations were performed in our institution between July 2007 and August 2013. The mean age of the population was 44.0 ± 13.7 years and 24 (17%) of the patients were female. A substantial number of the patients were on preoperative mechanical support: 35 (25%) with an intra-aortic balloon pump, 9 (6.5%) with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator and 25 (18%) with previous LVAD, for LVAD exchange. RESULTS The mean support duration was 514 ± 481 days, whereas the longest support duration was 2493 days (>6 years). The overall cumulative survival rate following cfLVAD implantation was 89% at 30 days, 76% at 1 year and 66% at 2 years (Fig. 1). There was a statistically significant difference in survival in favour of first LVAD implantation compared with VAD exchange: 91 vs 80% at 30 days, 79 vs 57% at 1 year and 70 vs 43% at 2 years (log-rank P = 0.010). Postoperatively, patients had a significant improvement in end-organ function 1 month after LVAD implantation. In addition, comparison of two different devices [HeartMate II (HM II) and HeartWare] using propensity score matching showed no significant differences in survival and most postoperative adverse events. However, patients supported with HM II required significantly more units of fresh frozen plasma (P = 0.020) with a trend towards a higher use of red blood cells (P = 0.094), and were also more likely to develop percutaneous site infections (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS HM II and HeartWare cfLVADs have excellent early postoperative outcomes and good mid-term survival, despite a considerable number of patients needing VAD exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]