The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 1999
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of functional capacity in patients with end-stage heart failure following implantation of a left ventricular assist device versus heart transplantation: results of the experience with left ventricular assist device with exercise trial.
Use of a permanent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been proposed as an alternate treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional capacity of patients following implantation of a LVAD vs heart transplant (HTx). ⋯ Patients demonstrated a lower functional capacity post-LVAD than post-HTx. For some patients functional capacity post-LVAD may be improved by a higher maximum LVAD rate and output.