| Abstract | Treatment of patients with severe right ventricular dysfunction follows a continuum of progressive therapies. If optimization of volume status and inotropic support do not adequately improve right ventricular function, higher levels of mechanical circulatory support are required. A right-sided intraaortic balloon pump has been helpful in such circumstances. The centrifugal pump and the artificial ventricle provide the most effective long-term circulatory support for patients with right ventricular or biventricular failure after cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial infarctions, or as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. All of these support measures still carry a high morbidity and mortality. Survival in approximately one third of these high-risk patients can be expected with the use of right ventricular assist devices. Cardiopulmonary bypass has also been effective for circulatory support of patients with massive pulmonary emboli. |
| Authors | R S Higgins, J A Elefteriades
(Affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.)
|
| Journal | Cardiology clinics
(Cardiol Clin)
Vol. 10
Issue 1
Pg. 185-92
(Feb 1992)
ISSN: 0733-8651 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 1739958
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
|
| Topics |
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Counterpulsation
- Heart Failure
(surgery)
- Heart Transplantation
- Heart-Assist Devices
- Humans
- Pulmonary Embolism
(therapy)
- Ventricular Function, Right
(physiology)
|
