Increased use of ventricular assist devices

Implications: In a series of 15 patients, the Thoratec ventricular assist device was utilized with associated medical treatment for severe non-ischemic heart failure. Eleven of the fifteen patients recovered and avoided transplantation. Key implications include increased utilization of ventricular assist devices for the indication: "bridge to recovery." This could allow patients to avoid transplantation by temporary use of a left ventricular assist device.

Analysis: This manuscript expands on an additional indication for the expanding field of ventricular assist devices which now include: bridge to transplantation, bridge to recovery, and destination therapy.