Human immunodeficiency virus infection and left ventricular assist devices: A case series

Daniel B. Sims, Nir Uriel, José González-Costello, Mario C. Deng, Susan W. Restaino, Maryjane A. Farr, Hiroo Takayama, Donna M. Mancini, Yoshifumi Naka, Ulrich P. Jorde

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Historically, advanced heart failure therapies were considered inappropriate for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As HIV has become a chronic illness with the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), cardiac transplantation has been used for selected HIV patients with end-stage heart failure. We present a case series describing the clinical outcomes with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) use in 4 patients with HIV. Three of the patients are alive: 1 after a successful bridge to transplant and the other 2 on continued device support at 18 and 13 months after implantation. No infectious complications occurred in 3 patients, and no opportunistic infections occurred in the fourth patient. De novo allosensitization did not occur in our patients after LVAD implantation. With the ongoing donor shortage, implantation of an LVAD in advanced heart failure patients with HIV with controlled viremia on HAART represents a viable option.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1060-1064
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume30
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • allosensitization
  • chronic heart failure
  • human immunodeficiency virus
  • left ventricular assist device
  • thrombosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Transplantation

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