Recovery from end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy during long-term LVAD support

A patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy and extremely reduced left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction = 0.10) presented to our institution for cardiac transplantation. Because of his worsening condition he was placed on the Novacor left ventricular assist device. During 3 months of support his left ventricular function recovered and he successfully underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting procedures; subsequently he could be weaned from the left ventricular assist device and discharged. The patient is no longer considered for cardiac transplantation. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.