Device therapy for heart failure management.

Purpose Of Review: Given the prevalence of heart failure (HF) and the interdisciplinary nature of device therapy, it is paramount that cardiologists not only understand the current landscape of goal-directed medical therapy, but also the ongoing efforts in device development. Thus, we aim to provide a practical overview of the broad approaches being utilized in the burgeoning field of device-based therapies for heart failure.

Recent Findings: Currently, a diverse array of devices for HF treatment is being developed and tested, each targeting distinct aspects of HF pathophysiology.

Emerging devices for heart failure management.

There have been significant advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF) in recent years, driven by significant strides in guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Despite this, HF is still associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality, and most patients do not receive optimal medical therapy. In conjunction with the improvement of GDMT, novel device therapies have been developed to better treat HF.

Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography With Fractional Flow Reserve in Patients With Type 2 Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) related to a supply/demand imbalance of coronary blood flow is common and associated with poor prognosis. Coronary artery disease (CAD) may predispose some individuals to T2MI and contribute to its high rate of recurrent cardiovascular events. Little is known about the presence and extent of CAD in this population.

Chronotropic Incompetence after Heart Transplantation Is Associated with Increased Mortality and Decreased Functional Capacity.

Introduction: The contribution of chronotropic incompetence to reduced exercise tolerance after a heart transplant is well known, but its role as a prognostic marker of post-transplant mortality is unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between post-transplant heart rate response (HRR) and survival.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult heart transplant recipients at the University of Pennsylvania between the years 2000 and 2011 who underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) within a year of transplant.

Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Obstructions: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes.

Purpose: We report on the clinical course and management of patients supported with durable implantable LVADs who developed outflow graft obstructions at a large academic center.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients receiving LVAD support from 2012 through 2020. Patients who developed an outflow graft obstruction diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) or angiogram were identified, and patient characteristics and outcomes were reported.

Device Therapy for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous syndrome with few options for effective pharmacologic therapies. Numerous device-based approaches to HFpEF therapy have emerged, which aim to treat the clinical and pathophysiologic features common to the varied causes of this syndrome. This review summarizes the current landscape of device therapy in HFpEF with a focus on structural interventions, such as left-to-right atrial shunts; cardiac contractility modulation; autonomic modulation, such as baroreflex activation therapy and splanchnic nerve modulation; and respiratory modulation, such as phrenic nerve stimulation.

Extracorporeal Ultrafiltration for Fluid Overload in Heart Failure: Current Status and Prospects for Further Research.

More than 1 million heart failure hospitalizations occur annually, and congestion is the predominant cause. Rehospitalizations for recurrent congestion portend poor outcomes independently of age and renal function. Persistent congestion trumps serum creatinine increases in predicting adverse heart failure outcomes.

Effect of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 Gene Variants on Warfarin Response in Patients with Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Bleeding and thrombotic complications continue to plague continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) therapy in patients with end-stage heart failure. Warfarin genotyping information can be incorporated into decision making for initial dosing as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration; however, clinical utility of this data in the CF-LVAD population has not been well studied. Genotypes testing for CYP2C9 and VCORC1 polymorphisms were determined in 90 CF-LVAD patients.

Watchful Waiting in Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients With Ongoing Hemolysis Is Associated With an Increased Risk for Cerebrovascular Accident or Death.

Background: Management of hemolysis in the setting of suspected device thrombosis in continuous-flow left ventricular assist device patients varies widely, ranging from watchful waiting with intensified antithrombotic therapy to early surgical device exchange. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of hemolysis events treated with surgical interventions versus medical management alone.

Methods And Results: A retrospective review of Heartmate II continuous-flow left ventricular assist device patients at 2 centers from January 2009 to September 2014 was completed.

Outcomes after stroke complicating left ventricular assist device.

Background: Stroke is one of the leading complications during continuous flow-left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) support. Risk factors have been well described, although less is known regarding treatment and outcomes. We present a large single-center experience on stroke outcome and transplant eligibility by stroke sub-type and severity in CF-LVAD patients.

Antiplatelet Therapy and Adverse Hematologic Events During Heart Mate II Support.

Background: Hematologic adverse events are common during continuous flow left ventricular assist device support; yet, their relation to antiplatelet therapy, including aspirin (ASA) dosing, is uncertain.

Methods And Results: A single-center retrospective review of all patients supported by a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (Heart Mate II) from June 2006 to November 2014 was conducted. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: (1) ASA 81 mg+dipyridamole 75 mg daily (n = 26) with a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 2 to 3 from June 2006 to August 2009; (2) ASA 81 mg daily (n = 18) from September 2009 to August 2011 with a target INR of 1.

Outcomes of contemporary mechanical circulatory support device configurations in patients with severe biventricular failure.

Objectives: Severe right ventricular failure often is considered a contraindication for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy and necessitates use of biventricular assist devices (BiVADs). Available options for BiVADs are limited, and comparative outcomes are largely unknown.

Methods: Heart transplant candidates who were registered on the United Network for Organ Sharing waitlist and underwent long-term contemporary LVAD (n = 3195) or BiVAD (n = 408) implantation, from January 2010 through June 2014, were retrospectively analyzed.

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices and usefulness of a standardized strategy to reduce drive-line infections.

Background: Drive-line infection (DLI) is a common complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, leading to significant morbidity that jeopardizes the benefits of these devices. It has been reported that DLI incidence is related to drive-line dressing strategies. The aim of this study was to determine whether implementation of a standardized drive-line care kit would reduce the incidence of DLIs.

Incidence and predictors of myocardial recovery on long-term left ventricular assist device support: Results from the United Network for Organ Sharing database.

Background: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) leads to favorable changes in the failing heart at the molecular, cellular, and structural levels. However, myocardial recovery leading to device explantation is rare. We reasoned that the multicenter United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry might provide insights into clinical predictors and outcomes of the recovery process.

Early post-operative ventricular arrhythmias in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

Background: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are common in patients with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD). The causes and clinical significance of early post-operative VAs have not previously been characterized in these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, precipitants, and clinical impact of early VAs in patients supported by CF-LVADs.

Left Ventricular Decompression During Speed Optimization Ramps in Patients Supported by Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Device-Specific Performance Characteristics and Impact on Diagnostic Algorithms.

Background: Echocardiographic ramp tests have been widely used to help guide speed adjustments and for identification of potential device malfunctions in patients with axial continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) (Heartmate II LVAD [HMII]). Recently, the use of centrifugal-flow LVADs (Heartware LVAD [HVAD]) has been on the rise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of ramp tests for assessing ventricular decompression in HVAD patients.

Correlation Between Home INR and Core Laboratory INR in Patients Supported with Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

It has been well established that patient self-testing (PST) of international normalized ratio (INR) using home monitoring devices increases the average therapeutic time and patient satisfaction. Long-term anticoagulation therapy with warfarin is used in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) to minimize the occurrence of thromboembolic events; however, PST devices have never been tested in patients with CF-LVADs. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the PST device Alere INRatio 2 in patients supported with CF-LVADs.

Device exchange in HeartMate II recipients: long-term outcomes and risk of thrombosis recurrence.

Successful long-term use of the HeartMate II (HM II) left ventricular assist device has become commonplace but may be complicated by mechanical failure, infection, or thrombosis necessitating device exchange (DE). A subcostal approach to device exchange with motor exchange only is less traumatic, but long-term outcomes have not been reported. A retrospective chart review of all patients who required HM II to HM II device exchange at our institution was conducted.

Prior hematologic conditions carry a high morbidity and mortality in patients supported with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

Background: Mechanical support leads to an increased risk of both bleeding and thrombotic events, but little is known about the risk of device support in patients with a baseline predisposition to these events. The aim of this study was to examine outcomes among patients with baseline hematologic conditions who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation (CF-LVAD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of 286 patients who underwent CF-LVAD implantation at the Columbia University Medical Center between April 2008 and December 2013.