Explantation of a left ventricular assist device following reverse remodeling in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) improve clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure (HF), including those with acute refractory HF. In carefully selected patients, depending on HF etiology, duration of HF, and degree of end-organ dysfunction, LVAD support may induce profound reverse structural remodeling and even functional myocardial recovery, ultimately permitting LVAD explantation. This “bridge to recovery” strategy, although conceptually appealing and clinically transformative, remains underutilized. Here, we present a case demonstrating that this strategy offers a valuable alternative to transplantation and highlights the importance of standardized protocols in identifying and managing LVAD recovery candidates.