| Author/Editor | Okrajšek, Renata; Poglajen, Gregor; Bunc, Matjaž; Zupan, Igor; Šebeštjen, Miran; Gabrijelčič, Tone; Vrtovec, Bojan | |
| Title | Zdravljenje napredovalega srčnega popuščanja v Univerzitetnem kliničnem centru Ljubljana | |
| Translated title | Treatment of advanced heart failure at the University medical centre Ljubljana | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Slov Kardiol | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 6, št. 1 | |
| Publication year | 2009 | |
| Volume | str. 8-13 | |
| Language | slo | |
| Abstract | Advanced heart failure denotes patients with refractory heart failure that need to be treated in specialized centers with possibility of cardiac transplantation or alternative treatment modalities (such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, stem cell therapy, mechanical circulatory support etc.) and patients with terminal heart failure in which only symptomatic and palliative treatment is indicated. Despite recent significant advances in medical management of heart failure its incidence is stili rising. Heart transplantation is an established treatment modality in advanced heart failure patients. The outcome of cardiac trans plant recipients depends on careful recipient selection, ,n and meticulous therapeutic management in the early and late post-transplant periods. However, due to shortage of donor organs and numerous contraindications for heart transplantation it is only available to a small percentage of heart failure patients. In recent years several new treatment options for advanced heart failure have been proposed - cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), stem cell transplantation and immune modulation. Additionally, mechanical circulatory support (left ventricular assist device - lVAD) has become more widely available. At the University Medical Centre ljubljana first heart transplantation was performed in 1990. Since then, 83 heart transplantations were performed. Treatment with stem cells was started in May 2006, until May 2009 34 patients were treated with autologous stem cell transplantation. Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been available since 2005. Temporary mechanical circulatory support was introduced in 2007 and currently preparations are underway for a placement of permanent lVAD. | |
| Descriptors | HEART FAILURE, CONGESTIVE CARDIAC PACING, ARTIFICIAL HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION HEART, MECHANICAL HEART TRANSPLANTATION |