A combined therapy of lvad, an artificial heart device, and drug therapy can promote healthy heart function especially in patients suffering from severe heart failure, according to the preliminary results of a study presented at the Scientific Sessions of American Heart Association.

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RESTAGE, the name of the multicenter trial, consisted of 40 patients suffering from severe heart failure. The patients were admitted to six different centers following the standard course of therapy.

The remaining 36 patients were treated with LVAD, otherwise known as a left ventricular device implanted inside the heart tissue paired with an intensive drug therapy of Lisinopril, Spironolactone, Digoxin, Losartan, and coreg.

The preliminary results were positive as 13 patients showed signs of recovery after 344 days. They subsequently had the device removed. However, two patients with implanted LVAD required immediate heart transplants and one was not able to survive.

Dr. Michael Kim, a cardiologist who reviewed the results, said that patients who received the implanted device typically anticipate a heart transplant.

Dr. Kim added that there is a shortage of hearts for transplantation and LVAD can prolong a patient's life until a heart is available.

However, studies presented through medical meetings are considered preliminary until it reaches final publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

The study was spearheaded by Dr. Emma Birks, a professor of medicine at the University of Louisville.

Dr. Birks said that the results suggest that severe heart failure can be reversed with the use of lvad and drug therapy. This would lessen the demand of heart transplantation.

Dr. David Friedman, chief of congestive heart failure services at the Franklin Hospital in New York, applauded the study, describing  it as a "very positive preliminary research."