ISSN:
1540-8191
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background: This study reports long-term results of partial left ventriculectomy (PLV). Methods: Forty-four patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were operated on in a 4-year study. Echocardiograms, catheterization, and stress tests with oxygen consumption (VO2) were performed. Results: The survivors' preoperative ejection fractions of 22.1%± 4.9% improved to 30.9%± 9.4%, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter decreased from 79.4 ± 9.3 mm to 61.9 ± 8.2 mm, and maximum VO2 consumption improved from 8.8 ± 3.9 mL/kg per minute to 15.8 ± 6.1 mL/kg per minute at 22.6 months. These data also showed improvements in nonsurviving patients, according to the last evaluation before death. Seven of 12 survivors (58.3%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) I and II In December 1998. Twelve patients had elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) contraindicating heart transplant. In five patients the PVR returned to normal and one high-PVR patient was transplanted at the 16th postoperative month. Survival was 56.8%, 47.7%, 38.4%, and 35.9%, respectively, at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, with a tendency to stabilize at 32.7% thereafter. Arrhythmias and heart failure were the main causes of death. Conclusions: In spite of improvement of ventricular function and quality of life of the survivors, high mortality is a limiting factor. PLV can be indicated as a bridge to heart transplantation in high-PVR patients or if ventricular assist devices or donor hearts are not available.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8191.2000.tb00453.x-i1
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