Abstract
From April 1999 to July 2000, the Acorn cardiac support device was assessed in 22 patients with advanced heart failure, 10 of whom received mitral valve repair. There was 1 hospital death unrelated to the device, and 2 late deaths at 2 and 8 months postoperatively. The survivors had no device-related complications during a mean follow-up of 10.4 months. Mitral valve regurgitation improved in all patients and none had evidence of constrictive or restrictive physiology on repeat cardiac catheterization at 6 months. Preoperatively, 22% were in New York Heart Association functional class II, 71% in class III, and 7% in class IV. At 6 months postoperatively, 33% were in class I, 56% in class II, 11% in class III, and none in class IV. Ejection fraction increased from 19% ± 8% to 26% ± 10% at 3 months and 24% ± 11% at 6 months. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased from 74 ± 6.1 mm preoperatively to 68 ± 11 mm at 6 months. These findings indicate that the device is safe and effective in treating heart failure. Additional studies and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results.
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