Jan Knierim1, Roland Heck2, Marina Pieri3, Felix Schoenrath2, Sajjad Soltani2, Philipp Stawowy4, Stephan Dreysse5, Julia Stein6, Marcus Müller2, Johanna Mulzer2, Michael Dandel7, Volkmar Falk8, Thomas Krabatsch2, Evgenij Potapov2. 1. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: knierim@dhzb.de. 2. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 3. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. 4. DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiology, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 5. DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 6. DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DHZB Dienstleistungs GmbH, Berlin, Germany. 7. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 8. Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this retrospective analysis we evaluated a standardized echocardiographic assessment and an invasive technique for patient selection for successful continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) explantation. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for LVAD recovery assessment were: clinically stable condition; LVAD support for >6 months; physical activity; normal echocardiography findings; and no more than mild valvular disease and aortic valve opening. In a second step, echocardiography was performed under CF-LVAD reduction and stop conditions (PStopE). In the third step, patients who presented with stable parameters underwent right heart catheterization under CF-LVAD stoppage and occlusion of the outflow graft with a balloon catheter. Criteria for explantation were normal pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure <16 mmHg. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 424 patients entered the second step of evaluation and 20 entered the third step. Fourteen presented positive results and the pump was successfully explanted. The PCWP at baseline was 8.5 (2.8) mmHg in the explantation group and 10.6 (2.8) mmHg in the non-explantation group (p = 0.105). It increased to 10.9 (3.0) mmHg vs 20.8 (4.9) mmHg under outflow graft occlusion. The wedge pressure was significantly higher in the non-explantation group (p < 0.001). Median duration of follow-up after explantation was 9.74 (interquartile range 4.3 to 20.60) months, with survival of 93%. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol presented is feasible and safe. The criteria applied provide good patient selection for sustained mid-term myocardial recovery after LVAD explantation.
BACKGROUND: In this retrospective analysis we evaluated a standardized echocardiographic assessment and an invasive technique for patient selection for successful continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) explantation. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for LVAD recovery assessment were: clinically stable condition; LVAD support for >6 months; physical activity; normal echocardiography findings; and no more than mild valvular disease and aortic valve opening. In a second step, echocardiography was performed under CF-LVAD reduction and stop conditions (PStopE). In the third step, patients who presented with stable parameters underwent right heart catheterization under CF-LVAD stoppage and occlusion of the outflow graft with a balloon catheter. Criteria for explantation were normal pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure <16 mmHg. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 424 patients entered the second step of evaluation and 20 entered the third step. Fourteen presented positive results and the pump was successfully explanted. The PCWP at baseline was 8.5 (2.8) mmHg in the explantation group and 10.6 (2.8) mmHg in the non-explantation group (p = 0.105). It increased to 10.9 (3.0) mmHg vs 20.8 (4.9) mmHg under outflow graft occlusion. The wedge pressure was significantly higher in the non-explantation group (p < 0.001). Median duration of follow-up after explantation was 9.74 (interquartile range 4.3 to 20.60) months, with survival of 93%. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol presented is feasible and safe. The criteria applied provide good patient selection for sustained mid-term myocardial recovery after LVAD explantation.
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