Bridging from acute to chronic devices

Mechanical circulatory support used as a bridge to chronic transplantation is now a firmly established treatment modality. Trials evaluating circulatory assist for permanent circulatory assist device implications are underway. A population of patients is beginning to emerge who are resuscitated using readily available "acute" devices and need long-term supporting "chronic" device to bridge either cardiac transplantation or permanent device implantation. Careful management of this new acute-to-chronic bridge group will maximize the chances of a successful long-term outcome. The best strategies for management may only unfold by later analysis of larger populations. This article summarizes the current utilization of acute and chronic devices, as well as the small but growing population of acute-to-chronic bridge patients, and suggests what seem today to be sound management principles for them. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.