Cardiac Transplantation for Patients Requiring Mechanical Circulatory Support

Abstract

MECHANICAL circulatory support with the intra-aortic balloon has permitted preoperative evaluation of patients in low-output cardiac failure.^{1 2 3} Such studies show surgically correctable problems in many cases, and temporary assistance with the intra-aortic balloon is maintained until these problems are corrected at operation. In occasional patients, however, studies show that the cardiac disease cannot be corrected by the usual types of cardiac operations, and such patients die when mechanical circulatory support is stopped.In two patients with prior coronary-artery operations and no correctable lesions, we have maintained the circulation with the intra-aortic balloon pump for six days in each while an . . .