Single Center Experience of Abiomed BVS 5000 Ventricular Assist Device

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Abstract
Since 1987 the Abiomed BVS 5000 biventricular support system has been used successfully for circulatory support in a variety of settings. From June 1994 through December 1996, 20 of these devices were implanted in 17 patients at the Allegheny University Hospitals for ventricular support in these circumstances: following coronary artery bypass-grafting; after left ventricular aneurysm repair; after repair of a postinfarction ventricular septal defect; following double valve replacement; as a bridge to transplantation; and for right ventricular support following transplantation in patients with marked pulmonary hypertension. Fourteen devices were placed at the time of the initial cardiac surgery. Three devices were placed postoperatively after the initial cardiotomy. Of the 14 patients with early insertion, 9 (64%) were weaned off support, 8 (57%) died, and 6 (43%) were discharged. The 3 patients who underwent postoperative implantation could not be weaned from the device. This experience indicates that the Abiomed BVS 5000 can be used to preserve life in a variety of cardiac surgical conditions that would otherwise be fatal and more favorable results can be achieved when the device is placed early.

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