Comparison of Percutaneous and Surgical Right Ventricular Assist Device Support After Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Insertion

Background

Early right ventricular (RV) failure after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation increases morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous right ventricular assist device (pRVAD) support is an alternative to more invasive surgical RVAD (sRVAD).

Epidemiology and Outcomes Associated With Anemia During Long-Term Support With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to define the prevalence and clinical ramifications of anemia in patients implanted with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD).Methods and ResultsPatients implanted with a CF-LVAD from January 1, 2008, to April 30, 2012, were included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the prevalence of anemia throughout the 1st year of device support. Secondary end points included the impact of anemia on rates of readmission to hospital and mortality. Ninety-one patients were included; the prevalence of anemia 360 days after implantation was significantly reduced compared with baseline (61.4% vs 79.1%, respectively; P = .032); 65.4% of anemic patients and 34.6% of nonanemic patients were readmitted at least once (P = .067). The median number of readmissions in the anemic compared with the nonanemic group was 4 (interquartile range [IQR] 2-6) versus 1.5 (IQR 1-3), respectively (P < .001). Furthermore, among those who experienced >3 readmissions during the 1st year, 19 were anemic compared with 1 patient who was not anemic (P < .001).ConclusionsAnemia remains a prevalent condition while on CF-LVAD support and is associated with a significant increase in the number of hospital readmissions.     

Renal Dysfunction in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device

Late-stage heart failure and renal dysfunction are often seen in conjunction. Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) describes the complex interaction between the two disease states. Early literature described the pathophysiology of CRS as related only to reduced cardiac output and decreased renal perfusion. Recent literature suggests a more multifaceted mechanism. Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), used as bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy in patients with heart failure, impact not only cardiac function but also renal function, especially in those patients with preoperative renal dysfunction. The mechanism by which LVAD implantation affects renal function is complex and understated in early literature. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of CRS, the impact of preoperative renal dysfunction in patients undergoing LVAD implantation, and the effect of LVAD implantation on postoperative renal function.     

全磁悬浮左心室辅助装置的研究进展

心脏移植是终末期心力衰竭治疗的金标准,但面临着供体短缺的问题。左心室辅助装置已成为目前终末期心力衰竭患者的重要治疗手段。出血、泵血栓形成、卒中、右心衰竭和溶血是限制左心室辅助装置治疗的关键因素,第三代全磁悬浮离心式连续流左心室辅助装置的研发,旨在克服这些并发症。近年来我国心室辅助装置发展迅速,多款设备已进入临床试验阶段。本文结合国际前沿研究进展,介绍国内外以磁悬浮为技术特点的左心室辅助装置的研究与应用现状。     

Increases in Serum Autoantibodies After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Background

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) can serve as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy for patients with advanced heart failure. Implantation of LVADs is known to be associated with increases in anti-HLA antibodies, but less is known about how autoantibody levels change with the use of these devices.

Usefulness of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Diagnosing Valve Leakage of Left Ventricular Assist Device

In this case report, we present the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of two uncommon complications of left ventricular assist devices: regurgitation of the bioprosthetic valve in the inflow conduit and a tear of a Dacron conduit with hematoma formation and compression of the right ventricular free wall.     

Clinical Impact of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with the HeartMate II (HMII) left ventricular assist device (LVAD), but the impact of AF on clinical outcomes is uncertain.

Objectives

This study sought to determine the effect of AF on outcomes in patients with the HMII LVAD.

Methods

Records of 106 patients who underwent HMII implantation at a single center were reviewed. The associations of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) with survival, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, bleeding, and thromboembolism were examined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Mean age was 56.6 ± 11.4 years, 87.7% of the implants were intended as a bridge to transplantation, and median length of support was 217 days (range: 1 to 952 days). AF was present in 55 patients (51.9%); 36 patients (34.0%) had PAF and 19 (17.9%) had PeAF. Twenty-one patients (19.8%) died, and 18 (17.0%) were hospitalized for HF. There were 0.75 major bleeding events and 0.28 thromboembolic events per patient year of follow-up. PAF was not associated with increased mortality, HF hospitalization, bleeding, or thromboembolism. PeAF, however, was an independent predictor of the composite endpoint of death or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio: 3.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.52 to 8.25; p < 0.01). Although there was no increase in bleeding or thromboembolism, patients with AF had thromboembolic events at higher international normalized ratios (INRs).

Conclusions

Although PAF is not associated with worse outcomes in patients with the HMII LVAD, PeAF may be associated with increased mortality and HF hospitalization. Patients with AF also may have thromboembolic events at higher INR levels.