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Collaboration between the implantation centers, management centers, and regional core hospitals is a key factor in securing long-term implantable ventricular assist device (VAD) management. In Kyushu, a management system for patients with implantable VADs has been established at the prefectural and regional levels. Presently, six implantable VAD implantation centers and seven management centers exists in the eight prefectures of Kyushu and Okinawa, with at least one specialized VAD centers in each prefecture. This collaborative management system allows patients with VADs to receive seamless treatment based on the same management concept wherever they live. In fact, approximately half of the present outpatients treated at our center reside outside the prefecture and are managed in collaboration with management centers and regional core hospitals. Among our patients, there were no significant differences in survival or rehospitalization-free rates between patients with VADs in and out of the prefecture, suggesting that the place of residence did not affect the outcome. With the increase in the number of patients with VADs and the diversification of patients, patient management has become more complex. Mutual collaboration between the implantation centers, management centers, and regional core hospitals, is essential to improve the quality of VAD management. This review was created based on a translation of the Japanese review written in the Japanese Journal of Artificial Organs in 2023 (Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 85-88), with some modifications., (© 2024. The Japanese Society for Artificial Organs.)

An 18-year-old man experienced refractory cardiogenic shock due to dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown aetiology, and was referred to our hospital to undergo a paracorporeal left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. After surgery, the patient lost consciousness, with subsequent head computed tomography revealing low-density areas in the bilateral basal ganglia. Metabolic acidosis and hyperammonaemia also appeared. Metabolic evaluation and genetic tests led to a diagnosis of propionic acidemia. Following appropriate management of heart failure and propionic acidemia, his neurological and cardiac functions gradually recovered, and the paracorporeal LVAD was successfully explanted. Dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure are rare manifestations of adult-onset propionic acidemia. This is the first reported case of cardiogenic shock due to propionic acidemia-associated cardiomyopathy successfully treated with a combination of mechanical circulatory support and medical therapy for heart failure and propionic acidemia.

A 32-year-old man, who had developed fulminant myocarditis leading to asystole, underwent implantation of an EVAHEART 2 left ventricular assist system with a double-cuff tipless inflow cannula and a concurrent Fontan operation. Approximately 2 years after the simultaneous EVAHEART 2 implantation and the Fontan operation, the patient underwent heart transplantation. There was no device-related thromboembolism or pump malfunction under adequate antithrombotic management during the postoperative support period. Computed tomography showed no malposition of the inflow cannula irrespective of the left ventricular chamber size. Macroscopically, the left ventricular cavity of the excised heart revealed a smooth inflow ostium with appropriate intimal proliferation and without pannus or wedge thrombus formation. These findings suggest the utility of the double-cuff tipless inflow cannula for long-term clinical applications, which may lead to favorable outcomes during long-term patient management. The double-cuff tipless inflow cannula, which does not protrude into the left ventricular cavity, potentially contributes to the prevention of suction events and the collision of the inflow cannula with the interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall. Further investigation is required to confirm the role of the unique EVAHEART 2 inflow cannula in reducing thromboembolic events., Competing Interests: Disclosure: Yoshihisa Tanoue and Toru Hashimoto belong to a department endorsed by Abbott Japan, NIPRO, and Medtronic Japan. These companies were not involved in the preparation of this article. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © ASAIO 2022.)

Aortic insufficiency remains a difficult to treat and highly morbid condition even in the era of HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The prognostic nature of the longitudinal progression of aortic insufficiency, however, remains unknown. We prospectively collected data on patients who received HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation, who had assessments of aortic insufficiency using a novel Doppler echocardiography obtained at outflow graft at three (baseline) and 6 months postimplant. Patients with moderate or greater aortic insufficiency at baseline were excluded. The risk of aortic insufficiency progression on 1-year death and readmission for heart failure was investigated. In total, 41 patients (median 51 years old and 29 males) were included. All patients had less than moderate aortic insufficiency at baseline. Of them, 22 patients had worsening aortic insufficiency for 3 months following baseline assessments, which was associated with a significantly higher risk of 1-year death or heart failure readmission rate (41% vs. 11%, P = .023) with a hazard ratio of 3.24 (95% confidence interval 1.02-18.5, P = .038) adjusted for device speed at baseline and destination therapy indication. In patients with HeartMate 3 LVADs, progressive aortic insufficiency may be associated with a higher risk of 1-year death or readmission for heart failure. Close monitoring of patients with baseline aortic insufficiency should be considered as a measure to risk-stratify those for future adverse events., (© 2020 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Cannula position in HeartMate II and HeartWare left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is associated with clinical outcome. This study aimed to investigate the clinical implication of the device positioning in HeartMate 3 LVAD cohort. Consecutive patients who underwent HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation were followed for one year from index discharge. At index discharge, chest X-ray parameters were measured: (a) cannula coronal angle, (b) height of pump bottom, (c) cannula sagittal angle, and (d) cannula lumen area. The association of each measurement of cannula position with one-year clinical outcomes was investigated. Sixty-four HeartMate 3 LVAD patients (58 years old, 64% male) were enrolled. In the multivariable Cox regression model, the cannula coronal angle was a significant predictor of death or heart failure readmission (hazard ratio 1.27 [1.01-1.60], P = .045). Patients with a cannula coronal angle ≤28° had lower central venous pressure (P = .030), lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (P = .027), and smaller left ventricular size (P = .019) compared to those with the angle >28°. Right ventricular size and parameters of right ventricular function were also better in the narrow angle group, as was one-year cumulative incidence of death or heart failure readmission (10% vs. 50%, P = .008). Narrow cannula coronal angle in patients with HeartMate 3 LVADs was associated with improved cardiac unloading and lower incidence of death or heart failure readmission. Larger studies to confirm the implication of optimal device positioning are warranted., (© 2020 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Aortic insufficiency (AI) is associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), whereas its impact on the HeartMate 3 LVAD cohorts remains uninvestigated. We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of AI on patients with HeartMate 3 LVADs., Methods and Results: Consecutive 61 patients (median age 54 years; 67% male) implanted with HeartMate 3 LVAD between 2015 and 2019 were enrolled and underwent echocardiography at 3 months after LVAD implantation. AI severity was quantified by the novel Doppler echocardiographic method obtained at the outflow cannula and the calculated regurgitation fraction of 30% or greater (moderate or greater) was defined as significant. At 3 months after implant, 12 patients (20%) had significant AI. They had a higher incidence of death or heart failure readmissions compared with those without significant AI during a 1-year observational period (70% vs 24%, P = .003) with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.76 (95% confidence interval 1.03-7.88)., Conclusions: In patients with HeartMate 3 LVAD support, significant AI remains both prevalent and a clinically significant downstream complication., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in advanced heart failure (HF) patients. However, the effect of concomitant tricuspid valve repair or replacement (tricuspid valve intervention [TVI]) with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal trend of TR after LVAD implantation and the effect of TVI on the TR trend and clinical outcomes., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients at our institution who underwent LVAD implantation between April 2014 and August 2018. We evaluated the grade of TR by echocardiography before and after LVAD implantation. Moderate or greater TR was defined as significant., Results: Among 199 consecutive patients, 194 had at least 2 echocardiographic TR assessments before and after LVAD implantation. Of these patients, 108 were included in the TVI-positive (TVI+) group and 86 in the TVI-negative (TVI-) group. In the TVI+ group, the prevalence of significant TR decreased from 52% to about 20% in the first 6 months after implantation (P < .01). Overall survival and HF readmission-free survival were comparable between the TVI+ and TVI- patients. In contrast, patients in both groups who had significant postoperative TR during early follow-up had worse 2-year HF readmission-free survival (36% in patients with significant postoperative TR vs 55% in those without significant postoperative TR; P = .028)., Conclusions: Concomitant TVI with LVAD implantation improved TR in most patients but did not have an impact on clinical outcomes. Significant postoperative TR after LVAD implantation, in patients with and without TVI, was associated with worse HF-free outcomes., (Copyright © 2020 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD) cannula position is associated with hemodynamics and heart failure readmissions. However, its impact on hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) remains uncertain., Methods: HVAD patients were followed for 1 year after index hospitalization, when cannula coronal angle was quantified from chest x-ray film. Invasive right heart catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography were performed. One-year occurrences of each HRAE were compared between those with and without a cannula coronal angle of greater than 65 degrees., Results: Among 63 HVAD patients (median age 60 years, 63% male), 10 (16%) had a cannula coronal angle greater than 65 degrees. The wide-angle group had elevated intracardiac pressures and lower pulmonary artery pulsatility index (P < .05). They also had reduced right ventricular function by echocardiography. Freedom from HRAEs tended to be lower in the wide-angle group (24% vs 62%; P = .11). The rate of gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly higher in the greater than 65 degrees group (0.90 events/year vs 0.40 events/year; P = .013). The rates of stroke and pump thrombosis were statistically comparable irrespective of cannula angle (P > .05)., Conclusions: HVAD cannula coronal angle was associated with reduced right ventricular function and HRAEs. Prospective studies evaluating surgical techniques to ensure optimal device positioning and its effects on HRAEs are warranted., (Copyright © 2020 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

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., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: HVAD left ventricular assist device flow waveforms provides graphical real-time information linking device performance with invasive hemodynamics. Previous studies have demonstrated a good correlation between the slopes of the ventricular filling phase slope (VFPS) and directly measured pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). We aimed to validate the utility of VFPS to estimate PCWP and predict clinical outcomes., Methods: In this prospective blinded study, screenshots from the HVAD monitor and simultaneous invasive hemodynamic measurements were obtained. Each screenshot was digitized and the VFPS was calculated by 2 independent reviewers who were blinded to the hemodynamic results. The equation PCWP = 7.053 +1.365 × (VFPS) was derived from a previously published dataset and the estimated PCWP was correlated to the actually measured PCWP., Results: One hundred thirty-one sets of simultaneous measurements (VFPS and PCWP) were obtained from 27 HVAD patients (mean age 55 years, 47% male). A previously proposed cutoff of VFPS ≥5.8 L/min/s predicted PCWP ≥ 18 mmHg with 91.5% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity with the area under curve of 0.987. The estimated PCWP significantly correlated with measured PCWP (R 2  = 0.65, P < .001) and showed acceptable agreement with measured PCWP. Patients with VFPS ≥ 5.8 L/min/s experienced significantly higher heart failure readmission rates than those without (0.24 vs 0.05 events/y, P < .001)., Conclusions: VFPS of the HVAD flow waveform is a novel noninvasive parameter that can estimate PCWP., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Characterization of right heart catheterization (RHC) waveforms provides diagnostic and clinical information in heart failure patients. We aimed to investigate the implication of RHC waveforms, specifically the y-descent, in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD)., Methods and Results: Patients underwent RHC and waveforms were quantified prior to and 6 months after LVAD implantation. The impact of a deep y-descent (>3 mmHg) on echocardiographic measures of right heart function and 1-year hemocompatibility-related adverse event rates were investigated. Eighty-nine patients (median 59 years old, 65 male) underwent RHC. RHC waveform showed unique changes following LVAD implantation, particularly an increase in the steepness of the y-descent. A post-LVAD deep y-descent was associated with reduced right ventricular function and enlarged right heart. Patients with post-LVAD deep y-descent had higher rates of gastrointestinal bleeding (0.866 vs 0.191 events/year) and stroke (0.199 vs 0 events/year) compared with those without (P< .05 for both)., Conclusion: RHC waveforms characterized by deep y-descent on RHC waveform during LVAD support was associated with impaired right ventricular function and worse clinical outcomes., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Aortic insufficiency (AI) significantly affects morbidity and mortality in patients with left ventricular assist devices. Although AI may be commonly assessed by echocardiography, expert techniques are required for accurate quantification of AI severity., Description: In this prospective blinded study, screenshots from the HVAD (Medtronic, Framingham, MA) display and simultaneous echocardiographic measurements were obtained. Each screenshot was digitized and the early diastolic phase slope was calculated, with blinding to the echocardiographic results. The regurgitant fraction of AI was quantified by Doppler echocardiography of the outflow graft., Evaluation: A total of 30 patients (median, 57 years old; 57% male) were enrolled. A cutoff of -17.6 L/min/s for the early diastolic phase slope had a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.53 to estimate significant AI with a regurgitant fraction of 30% or greater, and it significantly stratified patients into a low regurgitant faction group (0.3%) and a high regurgitant fraction group (33.0%) (P = .009). The early diastolic phase slope had a moderate correlation with the actually measured regurgitant fraction (r = .50)., Conclusions: The early diastolic phase slope of the HVAD flow waveform may be a parameter that can estimate the presence of clinically significant AI., (Copyright © 2020 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tolvaptan is an effective therapy for heart failure patients with symptomatic congestion and hyponatremia. The efficacy of its use in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in LVAD patients. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who underwent LVAD implantation between January 2014 and August 2018. Among 217 consecutive LVAD patients, tolvaptan was used in 20 patients. Mean age was 46 ± 14 years old and 14 patients were males. The duration of tolvaptan therapy was 4 (interquartile range 1-8) days. Urine volume significantly increased from 2,623 ± 1,109 ml/day before tolvaptan to 4,308 ± 1,432 ml/day during tolvaptan therapy (p < 0.001). Serum sodium increased from 127 ± 3 to 133 ± 3 mEq/L at the end of tolvaptan therapy (p < 0.001). No patients developed hypernatremia (serum sodium >150 mEq/L). The 90-day overall survival following tolvaptan therapy was 89% in both the tolvaptan group and a propensity score-matched non-tolvaptan group (p = 0.918). Survival free of heart failure readmissions was also comparable between the groups (p = 0.751). In conclusion, short-term use of tolvaptan following LVAD implantation is a safe and effective therapy to augment diuresis and improve hyponatremia.

We present a case of successful ventricular assist device support in a 13-year-old female diagnosed with right single ventricle, asplenia, dextrocardia, who had undergone a Fontan operation at 4 years old in an associated children hospital. She underwent placement of Jarvik 2000 axial flow ventricular assist device to the morphologic right ventricle which worked as systemic ventricle. The postoperative course was not eventful. She was waiting for heart transplantation attending high school 3 years after implantation.

Aim: Hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAE) are a major cause of readmissions in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). The impact of aortic insufficiency (AI) on HRAE remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the impact of AI on HRAE., Methods and Results: Patients who underwent LVAD implantation between August 2014 and July 2017 and had echocardiograms 3 months post-LVAD implantation were enrolled. AI severity was assessed by measuring the systolic/diastolic ratio of flow and the rate of diastolic flow acceleration using Doppler echocardiography of the outflow cannula. Regurgitation fraction was derived from these parameters. Significant AI was defined as regurgitation fraction > 30%. Among 105 patients (median age, 56 years; 76% male), 36 patients (34%) had significant AI. Baseline characteristics were statistically not significantly different between those with and without significant AI except for higher rates of ischemic etiology and atrial fibrillation in the significant AI group (P < 0.05 for both). One-year survival free from HRAE was 44% in patients with AI compared to 67% in patients without significant AI (P = 0.018). The average hemocompatibility score, which defines the net burden of HRAE, was higher in the AI group (1.72 vs 0.64; P = 0.009), due mostly to higher tier I (mild HRAE; P = 0.034) and tier IIIB scores (severe HRAE; P = 0.011)., Conclusion: Significant AI, as assessed by Doppler echocardiographic parameters, was associated with HRAE during LVAD support., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pump thrombosis (PT) is a serious complication after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. To detect PT, echocardiographic ramp test using left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) is known to be useful. However, this method has several limitations. In this study, we propose an alternative novel ramp test using the flow velocity of outflow graft (OG). A 46-year-old man underwent continuous-flow LVAD (HeartMate II, Abbott Laboratories, Lake Forest, IL, USA) implantation for advanced heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. About 2 years after implantation, he suffered from hemolysis and symptoms of heart failure, and PT was strongly suspected. The change in LVEDD was minimal with increase in pump speed (-0.06 cm/400 rotations per minute (rpm)), suggesting PT. The systolic to diastolic velocity (S/D) ratio of OG flow, which we proposed as a new indicator of PT, also showed minimal change (-0.07/400 rpm). His clinical symptoms improved with anticoagulation therapy, and the changing slope of the S/D ratio dramatically improved to -0.92/400 rpm. Although its consistency should be verified in many other cases, this novel method can be useful for detecting PT and evaluating its clinical course.

Perioperative right heart failure(RHF) is an important problem, especially in the field of heart failure surgery. Right ventricular performance is determined by the combination of preload, contractility, heart rate, rhythm and afterload. Many factors influence on these parameters in the perioperative period, and the deterioration of one of them can cause RHF. Recently, we often encounter perioperative RHF after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, and prompt LVAD pump speed optimization and treatment for RHF is required to avoid complications and hemodynamic deterioration. Concomitant tricuspid annulus plasty may be effective for selected patients. In this review, we show the factors determining the performance of right ventricle, and then summarize the etiology and management strategies of perioperative RHF.

Although the suppression of sympathetic activity is an essential mission for the current heart failure treatment strategy, little is known about the relationship between the rotation speed setting and autonomic nervous activity during continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) treatment. We evaluated 23 adult patients with sinus rhythm (36 ± 13 years) who had received continuous-flow LVAD and been followed at our institute between March 2013 and August 2014. Heart rate variability measurement was executed along with hemodynamic study at 3 rotation speeds (low, middle, and high) at 5 weeks after LVAD implantation. Lower rotation speed was associated with higher ratio of low-frequency over high-frequency spectral level (LF/HF), representing enhanced sympathetic activation (p < 0.05 by repeated analyses of variance). Among hemodynamic parameters, cardiac index was exclusively associated with LFNU = LF/(LF + HF), representing relative sympathetic activity over parasympathetic one (p < 0.05). After 6 months LVAD support at middle rotation speed, 19 patients with higher LFNU eventually had higher plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide and achieved less LV reverse remodeling. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lower LFNU was significantly associated with improvement of LV reverse remodeling (p = 0.021, odds ratio 0.903) with a cut-off level of 55 % calculated by the ROC analysis (AUC 0.869). In conclusion, autonomic activity can vary in various rotation speeds. Patients with higher LFNU may better be controlled at higher rotation speed with the view point to suppress sympathetic activity and achieve LV reverse remodeling.

Background: Although cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing is an established tool for predicting survival in patients with heart failure (HF), its prognostic impact on explantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 33 patients who had undergone implantation of extracorporeal pulsatile flow LVAD and symptom-limited CPX testing at 3 months after operation, and who were followed between 2005 and 2014. Patients who received conversion to continuous flow LVAD were excluded. On Cox regression analysis, E1 (maximum load ≥51W; HR, 27.55), E2 (minute ventilation/carbon dioxide output [V̇E/V̇CO2] slope ≤34; HR, 16.86), and E3 (peak oxygen consumption [PV̇O2] ≥12.8 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1); HR, 18.35) significantly predicted explantation expectancy during 2 years after LVAD implantation (P<0.05 for all). Explantation score, the sum of positive E1-3, significantly stratified 2-year cumulative explantation rate into low (0 points), intermediate (1-2 points), and high (3 points) expectancy groups (0%, 29%, and 86%, respectively, P<0.001). When the scoring system was used for 45 patients with continuous flow LVAD, the 2 patients who had explantation were assigned to the high expectancy group., Conclusions: Explantation score, calculated simply from 3 postoperative symptom-limited CPX testing parameters, is a novel tool to predict explantation expectancy of LVAD and to select good candidates for the weaning test.

Background: Improving quality of life (QOL) has become an important goal in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. We aimed (1) to assess the effect of an implantable LVAD on patients' QOL, (2) to compare LVAD patients' QOL to that of patients in different stages of heart failure (HF), and (3) to identify factors associated with patients' QOL., Methods and results: The QOL of 33 Japanese implantable LVAD patients was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and Short-form 8 (SF-8), before and at 3 and 6 months afterwards. After LVAD implantation, QOL significantly improved [MLHFQ, SF-8 physical component score (PCS), SF-8 mental component score (MCS), all P<0.05]. Implanted LVAD patients had a better QOL than extracorporeal LVAD patients (n=33, 32.1±21.9 vs. n=17, 47.6±18.2), and Stage D HF patients (n=32, 51.1±17.3), but the score was comparable to that of patients who had undergone a heart transplant (n=13). In multiple regression analyses, postoperative lower albumin concentration and right ventricular failure were independently associated with poorer PCS. Female sex and postoperative anxiety were 2 of the independent factors for poorer MCS (all P<0.05)., Conclusions: Having an implantable LVAD improves patients' QOL, which is better than that of patients with an extracorporeal LVAD. Both clinical and psychological factors are influence QOL after LVAD implantation.

Background: Predicting the occurrence of aortic insufficiency (AI) during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support has remained unsolved., Methods and Results: We enrolled 52 patients who had received continuous flow LVAD (14 axial and 38 centrifugal pumps) and who been followed for ≥6 months between Jun 2006 and Dec 2013. Native aortic valve (AV) opening was observed in 18 patients (35%) with improved LV systolic function, and none of them had AI. On multivariate logistic regression analysis preoperative shorter heart failure duration was the only independent predictor of postoperative native AV opening (P=0.042; odds ratio [OR], 0.999). Of the remaining 34 patients (65%) with closed AV, 11 had AI with enlargement of the aortic root and narrow pulse pressure. Among those with closed AV, axial pump use (n=13) was the only significant predictor of the development of AI (P=0.042; OR, 4.950). Patients with AI had lower exercise capacity and a higher readmission rate than those without AI during 2-year LVAD support (55% vs. 8%; P<0.001)., Conclusions: Native AV opening during LVAD support is profoundly associated with reversal of LV systolic function, especially in patients with preoperative shorter heart failure duration. Among those in whom the native AV remains closed, low pulsatility of axial flow pump may facilitate aortic root remodeling and post-LVAD AI development that results in worse clinical outcome.

To date, there have been few reports demonstrating preoperative predictors for left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after LV assist device (LVAD) implantation, especially among patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We retrospectively analyzed 60 patients with stage D heart failure due to DCM who had received LVAD treatment [pulsatile flow (PF) type, 26; continuous flow type, 34]. Data were evaluated at 6 months or just before explantation of the LVAD. We defined "LV reverse remodeling" (LVRR) by the achievement of an LV ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥ 35 % after 6 months of LVAD support or explantation of LVAD within 6 months. LVRR occurred in 16 of our patients (26.7 %). Uni/multivariate logistic regression analyses for LVRR demonstrated that of the preoperative variables evaluated, PF LVAD usage and insufficient preoperative β-blocker treatment were independent predictors for LVRR. Patients who accomplished LVRR had a better clinical course, including lower levels of aortic valve insufficiency and lower levels of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide. Of the six patients (10.0 %) in whom LVADs were eventually explanted, all had an LVEF of ≥ 35 % before explantation or at 6 months. Based on these results, we conclude that DCM patients with insufficient preoperative β-blocker treatment have a chance to achieve LVRR under LVAD support as a bridge to recovery.

Background: Indication for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been a matter of debate in less sick status 2 patients., Methods and Results: Data were obtained from 183 consecutive patients assigned to stage D heart failure (HF) who were evaluated by the institutional review board of the University of Tokyo Hospital and then listed for heart transplantation as status 1 or 2 of the Japan Organ Transplant Network. Patients with status 2 (n=38) had a prognosis as poor as those dependent on inotropes (n=54) or MCS (n=91; P=0.615, log-rank test), and only 4 of them had eventual ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation (10.5%). Patients who eventually received VAD (n=92) had better 4-year survival than those without MCS among status 1 and 2 (P=0.030, log-rank test). On Cox regression analysis plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) >740pg/ml was the only significant predictor for 4-year survival among the status 2 group (P=0.014; hazard ratio, 8.267). Ten patients with status 2 died: 6 due to acute hemodynamic compromise and 4 due to ventricular fibrillation., Conclusions: Prognosis in status 2 patients was as poor as that of those dependent on inotrope infusion or VAD, mostly because of out-of-hospital sudden death without MCS. Status 2 patients with considerably high plasma BNP may be good candidates for continuous flow VAD therapy.

Background:  The continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has replaced the pulsatile flow (PF) LVAD because of its advantages of better patient survival and higher quality of life. However, "late-onset right ventricular failure (RVF)" after CF LVAD implantation has emerged as an increasing concern, but little is known about the mechanism., Methods and Results:  We retrospectively analyzed the 3-month hemodynamic and echocardiographic data from 38 consecutive patients who had received CF LVADs, and from 22 patients who had received PF LVADs. Late-onset RVF was defined as persistent right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) <4.0g/m(2) at any rotation speed and after saline infusion test at 5 weeks after implantation of CF LVAD. Patients with late-onset RVF had significantly impaired exercise tolerance indicated by shorter 6-min walking distance and lower peak VO2, and worsened tricuspid regurgitation, together with enlargement of the RV under CF LVAD treatment (all P<0.05). Univariable analyses demonstrated that preoperative smaller LV diastolic diameter (LVDd) was the risk factor for late-onset RVF with a cutoff value of 64mm calculated by ROC analysis (area under curve, 0.925). In contrast, there was no correlation between preoperative LVDd and postoperative RVSWI in the PF LVAD group, though their preoperative background was worse than that of the CF group., Conclusions:  In the setting of preoperative small LVDd, CF LVAD may cause late-onset RVF by leftward shift of the interventricular septum.  (Circ J 2014; 78: 625-633).

Background: The timing of ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation is always a matter of debate, especially when a patient is referred from a non-VAD institute. We focused on objective noninvasive parameters at the time of admission to a VAD implant center and analyzed the factors predicting the necessity of early VAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed advanced heart failure (HF) patients referred since January 2011, including patients less than 65 years old. They all had a history of hospitalization for HF management in non-VAD institutes within 1 month before referral. We excluded patients transferred with mechanical circulatory support. We enrolled 46 patients (40 males, 39.8±13.4 years old). Among them, 26 patients had a VAD implanted or died within 120 days. By multivariable logistic analysis using admission parameters, systolic blood pressure (BP) <93 mmHg [odds ratio (OR) 13.335], hemoglobin <12.7 g/dl (OR 12.175) and serum total cholesterol <144 mg/dl (OR 8.096) were significant predictors of early VAD requirement. We constructed a scoring system according to the ORs, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.913., Conclusions: Low BP, low serum cholesterol and anemia on admission predict early VAD in advanced HF patients who have been treated in non-VAD institutes. Such patients should be promptly referred to a VAD implant center.