BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has a critical role in determining the clinical outcome and the success of using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with refractory heart failure. RV deformation analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently allowed a deeper analysis of RV longitudinal function. The aim of the study was to observe RV function by STE in patients with advanced heart failure before and after LVAD implantation. METHODS: Transthoracic echo Doppler was performed in 10 patients referred for LVAD therapy at baseline and with serial echocardiograms after LVAD implantation. In a sub-group of 4 patients, an echocardiographic evaluation was also made after intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support was initiated and before LVAD implantation. All echocardiographic images were analyzed off-line to calculate the free wall RV longitudinal strain (RVLS). RESULTS: Three patients who presented the lowest free wall RVLS values at baseline, showed a progressive decline of RVLS after LVAD implant, presenting finally RV failure; however, patients with higher values of RVLS at baseline presented a further and overt increase of strain values in the course of follow-up. The overall performance for the prediction of RV failure after LVAD implant was greatest for free wall RVLS (area under the curve, 0.93). For the sub-group receiving the IABP as an intermediate step, only 2 patients with an increase of RVLS after IABP implantation also showed an increase of RVLS levels, after subsequent LVAD implantation. The 2 patients without an increase of RVLS after IABP implantation also presented with RV failure after LVAD therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study of 10 patients indicates that the new parameter of RVLS, representing RV myocardial deformation, may have important clinical implications for the selection and management of LVAD patients. A large multicenter study is required to confirm these observations and to quantify the clinical significance of changes in RVLS value.
BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has a critical role in determining the clinical outcome and the success of using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with refractory heart failure. RV deformation analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently allowed a deeper analysis of RV longitudinal function. The aim of the study was to observe RV function by STE in patients with advanced heart failure before and after LVAD implantation. METHODS: Transthoracic echo Doppler was performed in 10 patients referred for LVAD therapy at baseline and with serial echocardiograms after LVAD implantation. In a sub-group of 4 patients, an echocardiographic evaluation was also made after intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support was initiated and before LVAD implantation. All echocardiographic images were analyzed off-line to calculate the free wall RV longitudinal strain (RVLS). RESULTS: Three patients who presented the lowest free wall RVLS values at baseline, showed a progressive decline of RVLS after LVAD implant, presenting finally RV failure; however, patients with higher values of RVLS at baseline presented a further and overt increase of strain values in the course of follow-up. The overall performance for the prediction of RV failure after LVAD implant was greatest for free wall RVLS (area under the curve, 0.93). For the sub-group receiving the IABP as an intermediate step, only 2 patients with an increase of RVLS after IABP implantation also showed an increase of RVLS levels, after subsequent LVAD implantation. The 2 patients without an increase of RVLS after IABP implantation also presented with RV failure after LVAD therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study of 10 patients indicates that the new parameter of RVLS, representing RV myocardial deformation, may have important clinical implications for the selection and management of LVADpatients. A large multicenter study is required to confirm these observations and to quantify the clinical significance of changes in RVLS value.
Authors: C Sciaccaluga; F D'Ascenzi; G E Mandoli; L Rizzo; N Sisti; C Carrucola; P Cameli; E Bigio; S Mondillo; M Cameli Journal: Curr Heart Fail Rep Date: 2020-04
Authors: Andreas P Kalogeropoulos; Raghda Al-Anbari; Ann Pekarek; Kristin Wittersheim; Maria A Pernetz; Amber Hampton; Jerilyn Steinberg; Vasiliki V Georgiopoulou; Javed Butler; J David Vega; Andrew L Smith Journal: Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2015-07-09 Impact factor: 6.875
Authors: Maria Chiara Todaro; Bijoy K Khandheria; Timothy E Paterick; Matt M Umland; Vinay Thohan Journal: Curr Cardiol Rep Date: 2014-04 Impact factor: 2.931
Authors: Daniel R Beck; Lisa Foley; Jackson R Rowe; Angela F D Moss; Nathaen S Weitzel; T Brett Reece; David A Fullerton; Joseph C Cleveland; Karsten Bartels Journal: J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth Date: 2017-07-19 Impact factor: 2.628
Authors: Salim Hayek; Daniel B Sims; David W Markham; Javed Butler; Andreas P Kalogeropoulos Journal: Circ Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 7.792