HeartMate 3 fully magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device for advanced heart failure: Initial Serbian experience

Abstract

Introduction. As the waiting time for heart transplantation continues to increase due to shortage in organ donation, supporting patients with advanced heart failure with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) increases as well. The latest generation of LVAD, left ventricular assist system (LVAS) started to expand worldwide due to more promising outcomes. The aim of this article was to present the case of treating advanced heart failure in a patient who underwent implantation of HeartMate 3 LVAS as the bridge to transplantation. Case otline. The patient was a 59-year-old man with advanced heart failure requiring inotropic drug support, with ischemic cardiomyopathy as the underlying cause of heart failure. Therefore, in the absence of an adequate donor, it was decided to incorporate the LVAS as a bridge to transplantation. Functional capacity, cardiac, renal, and liver functions improved in the patient. Conclusion. The use of the HeartMate 3 in an advanced heart failure patient results in improvements in functional capacity, cardiac, renal and liver function. Further studies should be performed in order to identify whether improved outcomes are sustained with a longer follow-up period.