2.2 LVAD implantation
All patients included to the present study underwent surgery on an
elective basis, and received either a Heartmate II, Heartmate III
(Thoratec Inc., Pleasanton, CA, USA) or a Heartware HVAD (HeartWare
Inc., Framingham, MA, USA). Per institutional protocol, dobutamine (5
mcg/kg/min) and levosimendan (no bolus, starting with a dose of 0.05
mcg/kg/min titrated up to 0.02 mcg/kg/min as tolerated) were
administered prior to implantation. Device implantation was performed by
midline sternotomy. Due to regulatory reasons, all patients underwent
implantation with a bridge-to-transplant (BTT) or bridge-to-candidacy
(BTC) indications, though none of the patients actually underwent
transplantation during the follow-up period.