Initial experience of conversion of Toyobo paracorporeal left ventricular assist device to DuraHeart left ventricular assist device.

BACKGROUND

This report details experience of the conversion of the Toyobo left ventricular assist device (LVAD; Nipro, Osaka, Japan) to the DuraHeart LVAD (TerumoHeart, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) in patients awaiting heart transplantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eight patients (4 male, 4 female) with Toyobo paracorporeal LVAD underwent conversion to the third-generation centrifugal (DuraHeart) LVAD. The apical cuff of the Toyobo was not exchanged because the size was the same as that of the DuraHeart. All conversion operations were performed safely, but 3 patients who had infection of the Toyobo LVAD cannulation site prior to conversion suffered later pocket infections and 1 patient died because of sepsis. One patient underwent heart transplantation and 6 of 8 patients were awaiting heart transplantation at home.

CONCLUSIONS

Conversions from the Toyobo LVAD to the DuraHeart LVAD were performed safely. Considering that implantable LVADs provide superior long-term survival and quality of life, conversion is a reasonable decision for Toyobo LVAD users in whom there are no infections.