Is mechanically bridging patients with a failing cardiac graft to retransplantation an effective therapy? Analysis of the United Network of Organ Sharing database

Bridging patients to ReTx with ECMO at any time is not advisable. Bridging patients with MCS to ReTx within 1 year of primary cardiac Tx is not advisable. Survival after ReTx for patients bridged by VAD has improved considerably over time. Patients who survive the first year after cardiac Tx can be bridged by VAD to ReTx with an expectation that outcomes can be similar to ReTx patients who did not require MCS.