Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in Patients With Optimal and Borderline Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricle Function.

Abstract Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used for treatment of end-stage heart failure. Outcomes are dependent on right ventricle (RV) function. Prediction of RV function after LVAD implantation is crucial for device selection and patient outcome. The aim of our study was to compare early LVAD course in patients with optimal and borderline echocardiographic parameters of RV function. Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed 24 male patients with LVAD implantation. The following echocardiographic data of RV function were collected: FAC (fractional area change) with optimal value > 20%, tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion >15 mm, RV diameter < 50mm, and right-to-left ventricle ratio < 0.57 (RV/LV). Patients were divided into group 1 (12 patients) with transthoracic echocardiography parameters in optimal ranges and group 2 (12 patients) with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiography findings. Study endpoints were mortality, discharge from the intensive care unit, and RV dysfunction. Demographics, postoperative clinical outcomes, comorbidities, complications, and results in a 30-day period were analyzed between groups. Results Echocardiography parameters differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 according to FAC (31.8% vs 24.08%; P =.005), RV4 (45.08 mm vs 51.69 mm; P =.02), and RV/LV ratio (0.6 vs 0.7; P =.009). Patients did not differ according to course of disease, comorbidities before implantation, or complications. One patient from each group died. Patients in group 2 experienced more pulmonary hypertension, required increased doses of catecholamines, and stayed in the intensive care unit longer. No RV dysfunction was noted. Conclusions Borderline FAC, tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion, and RV4 add RV/LV ratio prolonged recovery after LVAD implantation even with no RV failure. Parameters chosen for qualification are in safe ranges. Highlights • Prediction of RV function for LVAD implantation is crucial for patient outcome. • We showed comparable outcome between groups of optimal and borderline RV function. • Our results with the continuous flow LVAD are encouraging; there was no RV dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]