Title : Present state of durable LVAD therapy and ongoing developments
Abstract:
LVAD Therapy has become a safe and successful long-term therapy for patients with advanced heart failure. Off the shelf 24/7 availability allows to treat patients, when necessary, in time. Significant reduction of anticoagulation therapy in recent years has allowed to reduce bleeding and clotting problems to a minimum. Improvements of patient management to a routine level with low complication rates have established durable LVAD therapy as a routine therapy. In contrast to heart transplantation, toxic immunosuppression is not necessary. With ongoing developments in technology including a fully implantable system not requiring a drive line, it will become the new standard for patients with end stage heart failure, and has the potential to reach a pacemaker stage like treatment.
Audience Take Away:
Heart Failure has a worse outcome than cancer. When patients have reached an advanced stage the quality of life is very poor with ongoing symptoms of SOB even at low levels of exercise. Despite advances in medical therapy there is a consistent decline with recurrent hospital readmissions and a miserable death. The overall costs are a big burden on the health care. Durable LVAD therapy has developed into a safe alternative over the last decade
Advanced Heart Failure Cardiologists/ Heart Failure Nurses
