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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2010.03.006 Byline: Ranjit John (a), Kenneth Liao (a), Forum Kamdar (b), Peter Eckman (b), Andrew Boyle (b), Monica Colvin-Adams (b) Abbreviations: BTT, bridge to transplant; DPAP, diastolic pulmonary artery pressure; LVAD, left ventricular assist device; PH, pulmonary hypertension; PVR, pulmonary vascular resistance; SPAP, systolic pulmonary artery pressure; TPG, transpulmonary gradient Abstract: Pulsatile left ventricular assist devices have been shown to effectively reduce pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage heart failure. However, it remains to be seen whether newer continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices have a similar effect on pulmonary hypertension. The objective of this study was to determine whether the HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif), a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device, is effective in improving pulmonary hemodynamics in the period after left ventricular assist device support and posttransplant. Author Affiliation: (a) Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (b) Department of Surgery and Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn Article History: Received 30 November 2009; Revised 8 February 2010; Accepted 9 March 2010 Article Note: (footnote) Disclosures: None.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2007.12.077 Byline: Ranjit John (a), Forum Kamdar (a), Kenneth Liao (a), Monica Colvin-Adams (b), Leslie Miller (b), Lyle Joyce (a), Andrew Boyle (b) Abbreviations: INR, international normalized ratio; LVAD, left ventricular assist device; PTT, partial thromboplastin time; TIA, transient ischemic attack Abstract: Thromboembolic events can occur in up to 20% of patients with a left ventricular assist device. The aggressive use of anticoagulation with newer continuous-flow devices has potentially increased the risk of postoperative bleeding. The predecessor of the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device, the HeartMate XVE (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif), was associated with an extremely low thromboembolic risk, even without anticoagulation, because of its unique textured surfaces. Even though several areas of the HeartMate II are textured, a protocol was adopted for this new axial flow pump requiring long-term anticoagulation with warfarin. In our study, we investigated whether the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device is associated with a similarly low thromboembolic risk as the HeartMate XVE. Author Affiliation: (a) Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (b) Department of Surgery and Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn Article History: Received 31 July 2007; Revised 14 November 2007; Accepted 18 December 2007 Article Note: (footnote) This study was part of the multicenter study supported by Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2007.01.085 Byline: Ranjit John (a), Kenneth Liao (a), Katherine Lietz (b), Forum Kamdar (a), Monica Colvin-Adams (b), Andrew Boyle (b), Leslie Miller (b), Lyle Joyce (a) Abbreviations: ACT, activated clotting time; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; IABP, intraaortic balloon pump; LVAD, left ventricular assist device; MSOF, multisystem organ failure; RVAD, right ventricular assist device; SCr, serum creatinine; VAD, ventricular assist device Abstract: Patients with refractory acute cardiogenic shock and multisystem organ failure have a poor outcome with implantation of permanent ventricular assist devices. We review our experience with the use of the CentriMag (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, Mass) circulatory support system in such patients whose neurologic status was uncertain. Author Affiliation: (a) Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (b) Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. Article History: Received 26 September 2006; Revised 22 January 2007; Accepted 29 January 2007 Article Note: (footnote) Monica Colvin-Adams reports lecture fees from Medtronic; Andrew Boyle reports consulting and lecture fees from Thoratec; Leslie Miller reports consulting fees and grant support from Thoratec.