OBJECTIVETo explore the experience of Abiomed BVS5000 as a mean of left ventricular support on clinical treatment for severe heart failure patients.

METHODSFrom February 2004 to April 2006, 12 male patients were supported with Abiomed BVS5000 as a left ventricular assist device. The average age was (55.2 +/- 9.6) years old (range from 39 to 68 years old). Mean body surface area was (1.76 +/- 0.1) m2 (range from 1.6 to 1.9 m2). Devices were inserted for post-cardiotomy shock after coronary artery bypass grafting in 11 patients (92%) and in 1 dilated cardiomyopathy patient for acute cardiogenic shock. Modified cannulation methods by inserting the arterial cannulae in femoral artery and inserting the venous cannula in left atrial through bovine jugular vein were used in 7 patients. In this way, the device could be taken off without resternotomy when support was finished. A comparison was made between the modified method and routine left atrium-to-ascending aorta cannulating method.

RESULTSThe average duration of support was (8.8 +/- 11.2) d (range from 3 to 43 d), with support flow rate of 3.8 to 4.5 L/min. There were 9 patients (75%) weaned from support and 8 patients (67%) discharged from the hospital Four patients (33%) were dead. The most common morbidity was adverse neurologic events. There was no statistic difference between modified and routine method on average BVS5000 support duration, assisted flow rate, mechanical ventilation duration, stay of intensive care unit and thoracic drainage.

CONCLUSIONSThe Abiomed BVS5000 is valuable to support patients with acute cardiogenic shock for short-term use. With using modified cannulating method, the weaning procedure can be effectively simplified.