Left Ventricular Assist Device /ECMO
Heart failure is one of the most devastating problem for any patient. Most of these patients require heart transplantation for survival. Causes of heart failure are divided into Non ischemic and Ischemic (artery blockage) Non ischemic heart failure occurs in younger patients and mostly due to defective genes. Newer technologies have enabled surgeons to use the smaller devises to support the failing left ventricle. The sizes of these machines over the years have become smaller to ease the implantation.
In properly selected patients these devises have proved to prolong patient’s life and improve the quality of patient’s life with less hospital readmissions and productive life years. With These devises patients’ needs to take Coumadin (a blood thinner) to prevent thrombosis. Complications with use of Coumadin and thrombosis of the mechanical support devise are major challenges that we face with these therapy. Another major concern regarding these therapy is drive line infections occurring in 5% to 8% patients. This is another challenge although treatable, increases over the time with use of LVADS. Dr. Bipeenchandra Bhamre, has worked with the Team at Texas Heart Institute, who are the pioneers of the mechanical support devises.