Indication of ventricular assist device therapy in patients with INTERMACS profile 4-7

Abstract

Optimal timing of ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy has been discussed mainly among patients with heart failure dependent on inotrope infusion,but little is known about the indication of VAD therapy among less sick ambulatory patients. Considering recent improvement of VAD therapy outcome,now is the best time to discuss the expansion of VAD indication into less sick population. In this review,we will investigate optimal candidates for VAD therapy especially among ambulatory populations on the basis of recent evidence.