Introduction of new strategy for end-stage heart failure by implantable ventricular assist device aiming to long-term-support with reintegration into society : Survey for the background and possible candidates.

终末期心力衰竭的心室辅助治疗已取得显著进展，而终末期心力衰竭的最终治疗方法--终身支持（LLS）代替心脏移植已成为人们关注的问题。本研究通过回顾性和前瞻性的研究方法，收集心脏病专家对LLS的基本态度，并寻找可能成为LLS候选人的患者。本研究是日本首次在LLS背景下进行的研究。

The treatment of end-stage heart failure by ventricular assist device has been remarkable, and final therapy, Life-Long-Support(LLS), instead of heart transplantation has been the matter of concern. This study was conducted to gather the basic information about cardiologists attitude to LLS and also to search the profile of such patients that possibly become the candidates of LLS by retrospective and prospective fashion. This study was the first one in the setting of LLS in Japan.