Characteristics and Predictors of Late Right Heart Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Late right heart failure (LRHF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains poorly characterized and challenging to predict. We performed a multicenter retrospective study of LRHF in 237 consecutive adult LVAD patients, in which LRHF was defined according to the 2020 Mechanical Circulatory Support Academic Research Consortium guidelines. Clinical and hemodynamic variables were assessed pre- and post-implant.

Less invasive surgical implant strategy and right heart failure after LVAD implantation.

Background: Conventional median sternotomy (CMS) is still the standard technique utilized to implant left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Recent studies suggest that less invasive surgery (LIS) may be beneficial; however, robust data on differences in right heart failure (RHF) are lacking. This study aimed to determine the impact of LIS compared with that of CMS on RHF outcomes after LVAD implantation.

Evaluation of patients with a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device using echocardiographic particle image velocimetry.

Purpose: Poor left ventricular (LV) function may affect the physiological intraventricular blood flow and physiological vortex formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of intraventricular blood flow dynamics in patients with LV assist devices (LVADs) using echocardiographic particle image velocimetry.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 17 patients (mean age 57 ± 11 years, 82% male) who had received an LVAD (HeartMate 3, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, Illinois, USA) because of end-stage heart failure and poor LV function.

Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support in the Netherlands.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in heart transplantation (HTx) waiting list mortality following the introduction of the Berlin Heart EXCOR (BH EXCOR) in the Netherlands, as well as the occurrence of adverse events in these children.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted including all pediatric patients (≤18 years) awaiting HTx. Patients were grouped in two eras based on availability of the BH EXCOR in our center, era I (1998-2006; not available) and era II (2007 to July 31, 2018; available).

Outcomes of patients after successful left ventricular assist device explantation: a EUROMACS study.

Aims: Sufficient myocardial recovery with the subsequent explantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) occurs in approximately 1-2% of the cases. However, follow-up data about this condition are scarcely available in the literature. This study aimed to report the long-term outcomes and clinical management following LVAD explantation.

Causes and predictors of early mortality in patients treated with left ventricular assist device implantation in the European Registry of Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS).

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze early mortality after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation which remains high.

Methods: We analyzed consecutive (n = 2689) patients from the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implantation. The primary outcome was early (< 90 days) mortality.

Impact of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy on Chronic Kidney Disease: A Longitudinal Multicenter Study.

Background: Many patients undergoing durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we investigated the effect of LVAD support on CKD.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study, including all patients undergoing LVAD (HeartMate II (n = 330), HeartMate 3 (n = 22) and HeartWare (n = 48) implantation.

Impact of preoperative liver dysfunction on outcomes in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of preoperative liver function on early and 1-year postoperative outcomes in patients supported with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and subsequent evolution of liver function markers.

Methods: A retrospective multicentre cohort study was conducted, including all patients undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implantation. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was used to define liver dysfunction.

Consolidated quality improvements following benchmarking with cardiothoracic surgery registries-a systematic review.

The influence of registries in medicine is large. However, there has been no systematic assessment conducted to quantify the impact of benchmarking with registries focused on cardiothoracic surgery. Numerous publications conclude that registry participation leads to improvement of outcomes for patients.

A novel mortality risk score predicting intensive care mortality in cardiogenic shock patients treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Purpose: Mortality after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) implantation remains a major problem in patients with cardiogenic shock. Our objective was to assess the utility of the SOFA score in combination with markers of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in predicting mortality in the ICU.

Materials And Methods: Data were retrospectively obtained from all adult patients (n=103) who were treated with VA-ECMO between November 2004 and January 2016.

SSRI/SNRI Therapy is Associated With a Higher Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in LVAD Patients.

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is common in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. Serotonin release from platelets promotes platelet aggregation, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI/SNRI) therapy inhibits the transporter responsible for re-uptake.

Methods: We reviewed the records of LVAD (HeartMateII™, Abbott Medical, Lake Bluff, IL, USA and Heartware™, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) patients at the Medical University of South Carolina and Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 2009 and January 2016.

Pulmonary Arterial Elastance and INTERMACS-Defined Right Heart Failure Following Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Background: Acute right heart failure (RHF) after left ventricular assist device implantation remains a major source of morbidity and mortality, yet the definition of RHF and the preimplant variables that predict RHF remain controversial. This study evaluated the ability of (1) INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) RHF classification to predict post-left ventricular assist device survival and (2) preoperative characteristics and hemodynamic parameters to predict severe and severe acute RHF.

Methods And Results: An international, multicenter study at 4 large academic centers was conducted between 2008 and 2016.

Acute kidney injury following left ventricular assist device implantation: Contemporary insights and future perspectives.

Currently, an increasing number of patients with end-stage heart failure are being treated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy as bridge-to-transplantation, bridge-to-candidacy, or destination therapy (DT). Potential life-threatening complications may occur, specifically in the early post-operative phase, which positions LVAD implantation as a high-risk surgical procedure. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequently observed complication after LVAD implantation and is associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Clinical outcomes of paediatric patients supported by the Berlin Heart EXCOR: a systematic review.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are widely accepted as therapy to bridge children to heart transplantation. We provide a systematic review of the current state of clinical outcomes in children after paediatric VAD support by the Berlin Heart EXCOR (BH EXCOR) device. A systematic literature search was performed in April 2018.

Left ventricular assist device implantation with and without concomitant tricuspid valve surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation is common in end-stage heart disease and is associated with an impaired survival after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery. Controversy remains whether concomitant tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) during LVAD implantation is beneficial. We aimed to provide a contemporary overview of outcomes in patients who underwent LVAD surgery with or without concomitant TVS.

Incidence, predictors and clinical outcome of early bleeding events in patients undergoing a left ventricular assist device implant.

Objectives: Bleeding is a common complication following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The goal of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors and clinical outcome of early bleeding events in patients after LVAD implantation.

Methods: A total of 83 patients (age 50 ± 13 years, 76% men) had an LVAD implanted [77% HeartMate II, 19% HeartMate 3 (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA)] over a period of 11 years.

Modification of a Ventricular Assistance Device for a Hemiplegic Left Ventricular Assist Device Patient.

Neurologic events occur in up to 18% of patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The current form of the LVAD equipment is not suited to serve patients who are impaired by a stroke. By creating an assistance device for the LVAD equipment, we have been able to greatly improve the quality of life and self-dependence of a hemiplegic LVAD patient.

Acute kidney injury and 1-year mortality after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: Data on the consequences of acute kidney injury (AKI) after continuous-flow left ventricle assist device (LVAD) implantation are scarce and inconsistent. In this study, we evaluated the incidence, predictors and the impact of AKI on mortality and renal function in the first year after LVAD implantation.

Methods: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted, including all patients (age ≥18 years) undergoing LVAD implantation (91% with a HeartMate II device and 9% with a HeartWare device).

Effect of Age and Renal Function on Survival After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly used, especially as destination therapy in in older patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on renal function and mortality in the first year after implantation. A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted, evaluating all LVAD patients implanted in the 2 participating centers (age ≥18 years).

Long-Term Mechanical Durability of Left Ventricular Assist Devices: An Urgent Call for Periodic Assessment of Technical Integrity.

Long-term durability and incidence of potential mechanical device failure (MDF) are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the incidence and potential predictors of MDF in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) patients. We conducted a retrospective study of all CF-LVADs (type HeartMate II) implanted in our center.