Developments in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

To the Editor The review by Dr Murphy and colleagues on heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) did not mention surgical options for this patient population. Advances in the field of mechanical circulatory support that include new-generation continuous-flow devices have resulted in improved patient outcomes and merit discussion. Recent American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines state that mechanical circulatory support is beneficial in carefully selected patients with stage D heart failure in whom definitive therapy such as cardiac transplantation is planned or when native heart recovery is anticipated. Use of durable mechanical circulatory support devices to prolong life (ie, destination therapy) is also supported by the ACC guidelines (class IIa, level of evidence B for both indications).
Source: JAMA - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research