Mechanical circulatory support device selection for bridging to cardiac transplantation: a clinical guide

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Many patients listed for transplant require temporary or durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices for bridging to cardiac transplantation. The choice of device for bridging to heart depends on a number of factors including level of support desired and patient-device hemocompatibility.

Areas covered

The authors summarize the current heart transplant landscape including the new UNOS listing criteria as well as indications for bridging to transplant with MCS devices. The authors also review the characteristics of commonly used MCS devices and discuss the limited evidence supporting their use in cardiogenic shock and specifically as a bridge to heart transplant.

Expert Opinion

The new UNOS heart organ allocation policy has resulted in a growth in the use of temporary MCS devices as bridge to transplantation for patients with cardiogenic shock, while bridging with durable MCS devices has become more challenging. Patients supported on temporary MCS devices should be routinely assessed for potential of myocardial recovery prior to urgent transplantation. Emerging machine learning algorithms may help better identify individuals who are likely to recover on temporary or durable MCS therapy. Modifications to the current heart allocation policy may facilitate bridging of patients with durable left ventricular assist devices.

KEYWORDS:

• UNOS
• Cardiogenic shock
• Mechanical circulatory support
• Heart transplant
• Bridging

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewers disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.