Can Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Predict Postoperative Aortic Insufficiency in Patients Receiving Implantable Left Ventricular Assist Devices?

Objective: Aortic insufficiency (AI) develops in 25% of patients after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of new-onset AI upon initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) required for LVAD insertion and the potential ability of this new-onset AI to predict development of post-LVAD insertion AI.

Design: Forty-one patients undergoing LVAD insertion were studied.