Cardiac Replacement Therapy: Transplantation, VADs, and Artificial Hearts

Cardiac replacement therapy is a critical area of research for patients suffering from advanced heart failure that is unresponsive to conventional medical treatments or those experiencing cardiogenic shock. Historically, cardiac replacement therapy was synonymous with heart transplantation. However, advancements in medical technology have expanded this definition to include long-term implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and total artificial hearts (TAHs). Despite heart transplantation being the gold standard, the increasing number of patients with end-stage heart failure, coupled with the complexities of advanced age, mechanical circulatory support, and high sensitization to HLA, has strained the limited and stable supply of donor organs. Recent studies have highlighted technological innovations in ventricular assist devices, which have led to a reduction in adverse events and improved mid- and long-term survival rates. Nevertheless, there remains a pressing need to explore strategies to expand the donor pool and enhance the survival rates of heart failure recipients.

This research topic aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of cardiac replacement therapy, focusing on both current and emerging strategies. The primary objectives include investigating methods to increase the donor pool, optimizing the use of ventricular assist devices, and exploring new frontiers such as total artificial hearts, xenotransplantation, and cardiac genic therapy. Specific questions to be addressed include: What are the most effective strategies for increasing donor organ availability? How can the survival rates of heart failure recipients be improved? What are the latest technological advancements in VADs, and how can they be optimized for better patient outcomes?

To gather further insights into the boundaries of cardiac replacement therapy, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Strategies for increasing the donor pool
- Optimization of ventricular assist devices (VADs)
- Technological advancements in total artificial hearts (TAHs)
- Potential of xenotransplantation in cardiac replacement
- Innovations in cardiac genic therapy
- Long-term outcomes and quality of life post-cardiac replacement therapy
- Ethical considerations in cardiac replacement therapy
- Comparative studies between different cardiac replacement modalities

Keywords: Heart transplantation, Ventricular Assist Device, Total artificial heart, advanced heart failure, cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.