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. 2019 May 20;55(Suppl 1):i38–i48. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezz107

Table 2:

Comparing a HTx to a VAD: benefits and limitations

Advantages Disadvantages Problems to solve
HTx

  • Benefit in terms of long-term mortality

  • Better quality of life

  • Organ shortage

  • Precise immunomatching (HLA/ABO)

  • Organ rejection

  • Improvement in organ allocation

  • Preservation

  • Reducing ischaemia-reperfusion injury (e.g. OCS®)

  • Expand donor pool to potentially marginal donors
VAD

  • ‘Unlimited’ availability

  • Durability

  • Energy supply

  • Bleeding/thrombosis

  • Infection

  • Technical malfunction

  • Develop complete and durable intracorporeal devices

  • Transcutaneous energy transfer

  • Lower bleeding/thrombosis risk

ABO: ABO blood group system; HLA: human leucocyte antigen; HTx: heart transplant; OCS: Organ Care System; VAD: ventricular assist device.