E.E. Suarez

A simplified echocardiographic technique for detecting continuous-flow left ventricular assist device malfunction due to pump thrombosis.

BACKGROUND Malfunction of a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) due to device thrombosis is a potentially life-threatening event that currently presents a diagnostic challenge. We aimed to propose a practical echocardiographic assessment to diagnose LVAD malfunction secondary to pump thrombosis. METHODS Among 52 patients implanted with a CF-LVAD from a single center who underwent echocardiographic pump speed-change testing, 12 had suspected pump thrombosis as determined by clinical, laboratory, and/or device parameters. Comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation was performed at baseline pump speed and at each 1,000-rpm interval from the low setting of 8,000 rpm to the high setting of 11,000 rpm in 11 of these patients. RESULTS Receiver operating characteristic curves and stepwise logistic regression analyses showed that the best diagnostic parameters included changes in the LV end-diastolic diameter (<0.6 cm), aortic valve opening time (<80 msec), and deceleration time of mitral inflow (<70 msec) from lowest to highest pump speed. One parameter was predictive of pump malfunction, with 100% sensitivity and 89% specificity, whereas 2 of 3 parameters increased the sensitivity to 100% and specificity to 95%. CONCLUSIONS The 3 echocardiographic variables of measured changes in LV end-diastolic diameter, aortic valve opening time, and deceleration time of mitral inflow between the lowest (8,000 rpm) and highest pump speed settings (11,000 rpm) during echo-guided pump speed-change testing appear highly accurate in diagnosing device malfunction in the setting of pump thrombosis among patients supported with CF-LVAD. Further investigation is warranted to create and validate a prediction score.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation After Intracardiac Parachute Device Removal

Left ventricular assist device implantation is a proven and efficient modality for the treatment of end-stage heart failure. Left ventricular assist device versatility as a bridge to heart transplantation or destination therapy has led to improved patient outcomes with a concomitant rise in its overall use. Other less invasive treatment modalities are being developed to improve heart function and morbidity and mortality for the heart failure population. Percutaneous ventricular restoration is a new investigational therapy that deploys an intracardiac parachute to wall off damaged myocardium in patients with dilated left ventricles and ischemic heart failure. Clinical trials are under way to test the efficacy of percutaneous ventricular restoration using the parachute device. This review describes our encounter with the parachute device, its explantation due to refractory heart failure, and surgical replacement with a left ventricular assist device.