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Background Previous studies have shown remarkable decrease in size of the left ventricle after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation due to mechanical unloading. However, a certain number of patients continue to have significant mitral regurgitation (MR) under LVAD support. We investigated pre-operative echocardiographic features associated with persistent MR after LVAD implantation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 82 consecutive patients undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implantation between 2007 and 2010. We obtained echocardiograms performed within 2 weeks before and 1 week after surgery. We investigated the pre-operative echocardiographic findings associated with significant MR post-LVAD and compared 1-year mortality after LVAD surgery between patients with and without significant MR post-LVAD. Results MR was significant in 43 patients (52.4%) before LVAD surgery. Among those, 5 underwent concomitant mitral valve repair (MVr) at the time of LVAD implantation. Of the remaining 38 patients, 25 (65.8%) showed improvement of MR, whereas 13 patients (34.2%) continued to have significant MR post-LVAD. Multivariate analysis revealed that posterior displacement of the coaptation point of mitral leaflets was significantly associated with significant MR post-LVAD (hazard ratio, 1.335; 95% confidence interval, 1.035–1.721; p = 0.026) even after adjusting for the amount of pre-operative MR flow. Post-LVAD 1-year survival of patients with and without significant MR post-LVAD was not significantly different (92.3% vs 89.1%, p = 0.826). Conclusions Pre-LVAD posterior displacement of mitral leaflets may be indicative of post-operative significant MR, which would help identify echocardiographic features of functional MR refractory to simple volume reduction of the ventricle.

Risk stratification of ambulatory heart failure (HF) patients has relied on peak VO(2)14 ml/kg/min. We investigated whether additional clinical variables might further specify risk of death, ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation (INTERMACS4) or heart transplantation (HTx, Status 1A or 1B) within 1 year after HTx evaluation. We hypothesized that right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and the model for end-stage liver disease-albumin score (MELD-A) would be additive prognostic predictors.We retrospectively collected data on 151 ambulatory patients undergoing HTx evaluation. Primary outcomes were defined as HTx, LVAD or death within 1 year after evaluation.Average age in our cohort was 55 ± 11.1 years, 79.1% were male and 39% had an ischemic etiology (LVEF 21 ± 10.5% and peak VO(2) 12.6 ± 3.5 ml/kg/min). Fifty outcomes (33.1%) were observed (27 HTxs, 15 VADs and 8 deaths). Univariate logistic regression showed a significant association of RVSWI (OR 0.47, p = 0.036), PCWP (OR 2.65, p = 0.007) and MELD-A (OR 2.73, p = 0.006) with 1-year events. Stepwise regression showed an independent correlation of RVSWI5gm-m(2)/beat (OR 6.70, p0.01), PCWP20 mm Hg (OR 5.48, p0.01), MELD-A14 (OR 3.72, p0.01) and peak VO(2)14 ml/kg/min (OR 3.36, p = 0.024) with 1-year events. A scoring system was developed: MELD-A14 and peak VO(2)14-1 point each; and PCWP20 and RVSWI5-2 points each. A cut-off at≥4 demonstrated a 54% sensitivity and 88% specificity for 1-year events.Ambulatory HF patients have significant 1-year event rates. Risk stratification based on exercise performance, left-sided congestion, right ventricular dysfunction and liver congestion allows prediction of 1-year prognosis. Our findings support early and timely referral for VAD and/or transplant.

Cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and metabolically active collagenous network that responds to mechanical strain. The association between ECM turnover and right ventricular failure (RVF) development after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) was investigated.Circulating levels of osteopontin, metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MPP-9, and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-4 were measured in 61 patients at LVAD implantation and explantation and in 10 control subjects. RVF was defined as the need for RVAD, nitric oxide inhalation48 hours and/or inotropic support14 days.All ECM markers were elevated in patients with HF compared with controls (all p0.05). RVF developed in 23 patients (37.7%) on LVAD support. All ECM markers decreased on LVAD support in patients without RVF (all p0.05), but serum MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-4, and osteopontin remained elevated in RVF patients. Multivariate analysis identified that right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI), circulating B-type natriuretic peptide, and osteopontin were associated with RVF (all p0.05). Osteopontin correlated inversely with RVSWI (r = -0.44, p0.001). Osteopontin levels260 ng/ml discriminate patients who develop RVF from those without RVF (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 82%).Marked elevation of osteopontin levels before LVAD placement is associated with RVF development. Persistent elevation of circulating ECM markers after LVAD implantation characterizes patients who develop RVF. These novel biomarkers would have a potential role in the prediction of RVF development in patients undergoing LVAD implantation.