Freedom Driver With the Total Artificial Heart: A Single Center Experience.: Abstract# B1236

Background: The total artificial heart (TAH) is an option for patients with severe biventricular heart disease. To allow ambulation with these devices, the Freedom Driver (12 lbs) was developed. It is not known as to the efficacy of this device in the real world. We now review our single center experience. Methods: Between 2012 and 2013, we evaluated 23 patients at our institution who received a TAH. Of the 23 TAH patients, 11 were discharged home on the Freedom Driver. All hospital re-admissions up to three months after discharge were recorded. Results: Of the 11 Freedom Driver patients, 9 of 11 were INTERMACS 1 or 2 (82%). 3 month survival post-discharge for these Freedom Driver patients was 100%. 5 of 11 (45%) of these patients were readmitted within 3 months post-discharge. The average time from discharge to re-hospitalization for these patients was 56 ± 17 days. Reasons for re-admission included Freedom Driver alarm (2), body rash from sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim for possible driveline infection (1), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (1), and small bowel obstruction (1).Table: No Caption available.Conclusion: The preliminary experience using the Freedom Driver in the TAH appears acceptable with low morbidity and no mortality. DISCLOSURES:Arabia, F.: Other, SynCardia, Inc., Consultant. Moriguchi, J.: Grant/Research Support, Thoratec and Syncardia Inc. Esmailian, F.: Grant/Research Support, TransMedics, Inc. Chang, D.: Stockholder, Abbott Pharmaceuticals. Kobashigawa, J.: Grant/Research Support, Transmedics Inc., Novartis, Xdx.Inc.