9
THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT OF END-STAGE HEART FAILURE: TWO CASE REPORTS
Authors: Horatiu MOLDOVAN, Oana FRONEA, Claudia NICA, Mihai CACOVEANU, Cristian VOICA, Silvia PREDA, Marian BROASCA, Andra SIBISAN, Robert TIGANASU, Sabina SAFTA, Lucian CALMAC, Ondin ZAHARIA, Liliana MIREA, Camelia C. DIACONU, Horatiu SUCIU
Number of views: 60
Introduction. Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome
caused by structural and/or functional cardiac
abnormalities, resulting in a reduced cardiac output
and/or elevated intracardiac pressures at rest or during
stress. It is a progressive disease with a high risk of
death in the first 6-12 months after the diagnosis of
end stage HF.
Cases presentation. We present the successful implantation
of a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD)
HEART MATE III in a 54-year-old male with ischemic
cardiomyopathy and end stage HF, and a heart
transplant in a 31-year-old male with non-ischemic
dilated cardiomyopathy and end stage HF. Both procedures
were guided by experienced surgeons and the
overall management was according to the current standardised
protocol. Conclusions. HF is one of the leading causes of
death world-wide. The effort to stabilize and effectively
treat patients with ventricular assist devices and/or
orthotopic heart transplant is increasing. One of the
few drawbacks is the complex Heart Team training, a
difficult process that involves each member acquiring
the necessary skills and knowledge. The end stage HF
Team is composed of a large variety of members, such
as cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists and intensive
care doctors, interventional cardiology doctors,
and nurses.