Management of aortic valve insufficiency in patients supported by long-term continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Abstract

Continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have yielded improved outcomes in patient survival and quality of life compared with first-generation pulsatile pumps; however, they have been associated with an increased incidence of postimplant aortic valve insufficiency (AI), which can have can have serious clinical consequences if not diagnosed and treated expeditiously. We reviewed our experience with AI after LVAD since the start of our CF LVAD program. From March 2006 through July 2011, 94 patients with chronic heart failure underwent implantation of a HeartMate II (HM II) LVAD. Severe AI developed in three patients after CF LVAD implantation. The clinical records of these patients were reviewed to analyze the presenting signs and symptoms of AI, identify the duration of LVAD support when the AI occurred, how the AI was treated, and the outcomes.

• Authors: Jeffrey A Morgan, Robert J Brewer, Hassan W Nemeh, Scott E Henry, Narula Neha, Celeste T Williams, David E Lanfear, Cristina Tita, Gaetano Paone
• Journal: The Annals of thoracic surgery (Ann Thorac Surg) Vol. 94 Issue 5 Pg. 1710-2 (Nov 2012) ISSN: 1552-6259 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 23098948 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aortic Valve Insufficiency (surgery)
• Female
• Heart-Assist Devices
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Time Factors