Thirty-eight patients were supported at 7 centers. Patients included 12 after cardiotomy, 14 after myocardial infarction, and 12 with right ventricular failure after implantable left ventricular assist device placement. Devices were implanted in left (n = 8), right (n = 12), or biventricular (n = 18) configuration. Support was continued until recovery, transplantation, or implantation of long-term ventricular assist device.
Mean support duration for the entire cohort (n = 38) was 13 days (1–60 days), with 47 % of patients (18/38) surviving 30 days after device removal. Mean CentriMag biventricular support (n = 18) duration was 15 days (1–60 days), with 44 % (8/18) surviving at 30 days. Mean CentriMag right ventricular support with a commercially available left ventricular assist device (n = 12) duration was 14 days (1–29 days), with 58 % (7/12) surviving at 30 days. Complications included bleeding (21 % ), infection (5 % ), respiratory failure (3 % ), hemolysis (5 % ), and neurologic dysfunction (11 % ). There were no CentriMag or pump failures.
In this preliminary study, the CentriMag provided short-term support for patients with cardiogenic shock with a low incidence of device-related complications and no device failures.