Jarvik-2000 May be an Option for Long-term Treatment of Heart Failure

For patients with dilative or restrictive heart failure, the Jarvik-2000, a left-ventricular assist device, may become a valid option for long-term treatment, German researchers report.

Dr. Michael P. Siegenthaler and colleagues from the University of Freiburg implanted the Jarvik-2000 in two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and one with cardiac amyloidosis.

These patients were not suitable candidates for heart transplantation.

After implantation of the device, all three patients did well. There was no need for repeat surgery and no infections developed. Currently, the patients have mild hemolysis, but do not require transfusions, according to the report in the June 5th issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Major postoperative events included a transient ischemic attack with complete recovery, and the need for reintubation shortly after surgery due to ventricular arrhythmia. Minor events included loss of consciousness during a battery change, knee joint effusion after ergometry training, a large abrasion from adhesive tape and hospital readmission for dehydration, the researchers report.

Patients were discharged from the hospital within an average of 49 days after surgery. One of the patients has returned to work, and all have shown improvement in quality-of-life scores, Dr. Siegenthaler’s team found.

“Our early experience with the permanent Jarvik-2000 left-ventricular assist device has been encouraging,” Dr. Siegenthaler and colleagues conclude. “The Jarvik-2000 might prove to be a valid tool in the physician’s armamentarium for the long-term treatment of severe heart failure.”

The successful use of the Jarvik-2000 as destination therapy for patients with heart failure, and as bridge therapy for patients awaiting heart transplantation, was recently reported by two other research teams (see Reuters Health reports May 17, 2002 and May 28, 2002.)

J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1764-1772.