The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) discharged its first patient
on July 20, 2004 who was successfully implanted, on July 2nd with the Heartmate
XVE Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS). In the past, such a device was used
as a bridge to transplantation; in this case it was implanted as a permanent
implant in lieu of a heart transplant.
The patient, 58-year-old John Didion, has recovered well enough to be discharged to his home in Allison Park, PA.
The Heartmate XVE (LVAS) is a long-term permanent assist device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for “destination therapy” in patients with end-stage heart failure who, despite receiving optimal treatment, have a life expectancy of less than two years and are not viable candidates for heart transplantation.
“I never thought this day would be possible,” said Mr. Didion. "I am so grateful to the dedicated staff at UPMC. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here today. I am living proof that this works."
Last fall, UPMC was among the first centers to receive approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implant left ventricular assist systems approved by the FDA, and UPMC is only one of two approved centers in western Pennsylvania to implant the Heartmate XVE.
“We are pleased to be able to bring this new technology and therapeutic approach to our patients,” said Robert L. Kormos, M.D., Professor of Surgery at the School of Medicine, Director of UPMC's Artificial Heart and Heart Transplant programs, and Medical Director-McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine. “Heart transplantation is still the best option for long-term survival, but unfortunately, it is not feasible for everyone. This new therapy allows us to return people to productive lives at home as an alternative to dying from end-stage congestive heart failure.”
“The Heartmate XVE has been developed to be a viable therapy and is giving new hope to people,” said Dennis McNamara, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Heart Failure/Transplantation Program at the UPMC Cardiovascular Institute. “As the technology improves, this may someday, in conjunction with heart transplantation and other new therapies, help us to provide a full spectrum of choices for heart failure therapy.”
As the use of destination therapy expands, the long-term vision for mechanical support is to assist the heart while it repairs itself using novel new cellular therapies. These goals include promoting recovery from the mechanical effects of heart failure and availability as a viable replacement option when all other choices fail. These goals encompass the broader mission of the McGowan Institute and are a result of the collaboration among scientists, engineers and clinicians.
UPMC's Artificial Heart Program, in collaboration with UPMC's Congestive Heart Failure Program, is one of the most experienced and active in the United States. The program was established in 1985 and has supported nearly 300 patients on various assist devices for a period of time that equates to more than 65 patient-years. It often serves as both a proving ground for new technologies and clinical procedures and as a training center for surgeons from around the world.