Net Prolongation of Life in Advanced Heart Failure: An Intentional Strategy of Durable LVAD Therapy Followed by Heart Transplantation - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #Heart Failure
- #Heart Transplantation
- #LVAD
- Heart transplantation (HT) and durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support are established treatments for end-stage systolic heart failure.
- HT is the gold standard with median survival of 10-13 years, but re-transplantation rates are low, limiting its utility for younger patients.
- LVAD technology advancements have improved median survival in younger patients to over 7 years.
- LVAD and HT should be viewed as synergistic therapies rather than competing options.
- Intentional LVAD implantation as a first-line approach in younger adults and older adolescents may extend therapeutic options and optimize lifetime management.