A role for the Reitan catheter pump for percutaneous cardiac circulatory support of patients presenting acute congestive heart failure with low output and renal dysfunction?

Outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure remain poor, in particular when patients present with impaired renal function. Recent results indicate that treatment of acute decompensated heart failure patients with the Reitan catheter pump not only increases cardiac index, but also improves renal function resulting in maintained increase of diuresis. These favorable effects were achieved without significant hemolysis, bleeding or vascular complications suggesting that Reitan catheter pump treatment has the potential to facilitate recovery from acute decompensated heart failure with low output and complicated by renal dysfunction.