Cardiac Index Declines During Long-Term Left Ventricular Device Support

Value of Invasive Hemodynamic Assessments in Patients Supported by Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used in patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). There is a significant risk of HF admissions and hemocompatibility-related adverse events that can be minimized by optimizing the LVAD support. Invasive hemodynamic assessment, which is currently underutilized, allows personalization of care for patients with LVAD, and may decrease the need for recurrent hospitalizations. It also aids in triaging patients with persistent low-flow alarms, evaluating reversal of pulmonary vasculature remodeling, and assessing right ventricular function. In addition, it can assist in determining the precipitant for residual HF symptoms and physical limitation during exercise and is the cornerstone of the assessment of myocardial recovery. This review provides a comprehensive approach to the use of invasive hemodynamic assessments in patients supported with LVADs.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Hemodynamics Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

BACKGROUND

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve the hemodynamics of patients with advanced heart failure. However, the longitudinal trajectories of hemodynamics in patients after LVAD implantation remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the trends of hemodynamic parameters following LVAD implantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LVAD implantation between April 2014 and August 2018. We collected hemodynamic parameters from right heart catheterizations. Of 199 consecutive patients, we enrolled 150 patients who had both pre- and postimplant right heart catheterizations. They had 3 (2, 4) postimplant right heart catheterizations during a follow-up of 2.3 (1.3, 3.1) years. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 102 patients (68%) were male. Following LVAD implantation, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased, and cardiac index increased significantly, then remained unchanged throughout follow-up. Right atrial pressure decreased initially and then gradually increased to preimplant values. The pulmonary artery pulsatility index decreased initially and returned to preimplant values, then progressively decreased over longer follow-up. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in the trajectories of the pulmonary artery pulsatility index based on gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvement in left-side filling pressures and cardiac index following LVAD implantation, right atrial pressure increased and the pulmonary artery pulsatility index decreased over time, suggesting progressive right ventricular dysfunction.

Clinical implications of hemodynamic assessment during left ventricular assist device therapy

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) significantly improve outcomes of advanced heart failure patients. However, patients continue to have high readmission rates due to complications ranging from bleeding, thrombosis, heart failure, and infection. Considering that the hallmark benefit of LVAD therapy is improvement in hemodynamics (cardiac unloading and increased cardiac output), hemodynamic assessment on LVAD support is key to better understand these difficult complications and may serve as a tool to resolving them. In this review, we will discuss the hemodynamic changes following LVAD implantation, and the implications and prognostic impact of hemodynamic optimization on outcomes and complications.

Artificial Organs 2016: A Year in Review

In this Editor's Review, articles published in 2016 are organized by category and briefly summarized. We aim to provide a brief reflection of the currently available worldwide knowledge that is intended to advance and better human life while providing insight for continued application of technologies and methods of organ Replacement, Recovery, and Regeneration. As the official journal of The International Federation for Artificial Organs, The International Faculty for Artificial Organs, the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support, the International Society for Pediatric Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support, and the Vienna International Workshop on Functional Electrical Stimulation, Artificial Organs continues in the original mission of its founders "to foster communications in the field of artificial organs on an international level." Artificial Organs continues to publish developments and clinical applications of artificial organ technologies in this broad and expanding field of organ Replacement, Recovery, and Regeneration from all over the world. We were pleased to publish our second Virtual Issue in April 2016 on "Tissue Engineering in Bone" by Professor Tsuyoshi Takato. Our first was published in 2011 titled "Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping" by Dr. Ashraf Khir. Other peer-reviewed Special Issues this year included contributions from the 11th International Conference on Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support Systems and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Perfusion edited by Dr. Akif Ündar and selections from the 23rd Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps edited by Dr. Bojan Biocina. We take this time also to express our gratitude to our authors for offering their work to this journal. We offer our very special thanks to our reviewers who give so generously of time and expertise to review, critique, and especially provide meaningful suggestions to the author's work whether eventually accepted or rejected. Without these excellent and dedicated reviewers the quality expected from such a journal could not be possible. We also express our special thanks to our Publisher, John Wiley & Sons for their expert attention and support in the production and marketing of Artificial Organs. We look forward to reporting further advances in the coming years.