Assessment of recurrent heart failure associated with left ventricular assist device dysfunction.

Background: Patients with advanced heart failure may require long-term support with an intracorporeal left ventricular assist device (LVAD) before cardiac transplant, while awaiting myocardial recovery, or during destination therapy. Compared with the diagnosis of native heart dysfunction, there is less experience with the assessment of recurrent heart failure after LVAD placement.

Methods: Ten patients (9 men, 1 woman; age, 58 +/- 11 years) were studied after LVAD placement.