VADs Investigated To Treat Moderate Heart Failure

Douglas Mann, MD, Lewin Professor of Medicine and chief of the Cardiovascular Division at Washington University School of Medicine, chairs the national steering committee of the REVIVE-IT (Randomized Evaluation of VAD InterVEntion before Inotropic Therapy) clinical trial, which will compare therapy with a ventricular-assist device (VAD) to optimal medical management in patients with advanced heart failure who are not eligible for heart transplantation. Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital will serve as one of five initial sites that will recruit patients for this study. VADs are currently used in patients with end-stage heart failure and in patients awaiting heart transplantation.

The REVIVE-IT trial will form the basis for future trials that will determine the indications for VADs to less-sick heart patients who are not doing well on medical therapy. Heart failure affects one in five Americans and is currently the most frequent reason for hospitalization for patients over the age of 65.