Abstract
Operative mortality and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing durable ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation are dependent on hemodynamic stability at the time of surgery.1 Survival is worst in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) Profile 1 patients.2 Therefore, use of a first-line, short-term mechanical circulatory support in anticipation of durable VAD implantation may be beneficial. In January 2017, the trial enrollment, as well as commercial distribution in Europe, was paused due to mechanical issues leading to pump stoppage.
At present, re-engineering efforts are underway to eliminate the failure modes. The purpose of this report is to outline the hemodynamic effects of this novel catheter-based pump technology.