SynCardia Temporary Total Artificial Heart as Bridge to Transplantation: Current Results at La Pitie Hospital

Background. The SynCardia temporary total artificial heart (t-TAH) provides complete circulatory support by replacing both native cardiac ventricles and all cardiac valves. Methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of demographics, clinical characteristics and survival of patients bridged to transplantation using the SynCardia t-TAH (SynCardia Systems Inc, Tucson, AZ). Results. From 2000 to 2010, the SynCardia t-TAH was implanted in 90 consecutive patients (80 males; mean age, 46 +/- 13 years) suffering cardiogenic shock secondary to idiopathic (n = 40, 46%) or ischemic (n = 24, 27%) cardiomyopathy or other causes. Before implantation, 7 (9%) patients had cardiac arrest, 27 (33%) were on ventilator, and 18 (22%) were on extracorporeal life support. Pre-implant creatinine values were 1.7 +/- 0.97 mg/dL and total bilirubin levels were 45 +/- 32 mmol/L; mean duration of support was 84 +/- 102 days. Thirty-five (39%) patients died while on support after a mean of 62 +/- 107 days. Actuarial survival on device was 74% +/- 5%, 63% +/- 6%, and 47% +/- 8% at 30, 60, and 180 days after implantation. While on support, 9 (10%) patients suffered stroke, 13 (14%) had mediastinitis, and 35 (39%) required surgical reexploration for bleeding, hematoma, or infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that older recipient age and preoperative mechanical ventilation were risk factors for death while on support. Fifty-five (61%) patients were transplanted after a mean of 97 +/- 98 days of support. Actuarial survival rates were 78% +/- 6%, 71% +/- 6%, and 63% +/- 8% at 1, 5, and 8 years after transplantation. Conclusions. The SynCardia t-TAH provided acceptable survival to transplantation rates with a remarkably low incidence of neurologic events. Posttransplant survival was similar to that of patients undergoing primary heart transplantation in France. (C) 2013 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons