Heart failure reversal by ventricular unloading in patients with chronic cardiomyopathy: criteria for weaning from ventricular assist devices

Abstract

Ventricular assist device removal in CCM patients is feasible and can be successful even after incomplete cardiac recovery. Parameters of pre-explantation cardiac function, LV size and geometry, their stability during final off-pump trials, and HF duration allow detection of patients with the potential to remain stable for >5 post-weaning years.