Abstract 12494: Optimal Timing for Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function During Reduced Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

Abstract

Introduction: In some circumstances left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) can be used to bridge patients with advanced heart failure to myocardial recovery or “remission”. Evaluation of the underlying myocardial function in patients supported with an LVAD is often performed with the pump speed turned down to minimal support for 15 minutes, to simulate unassisted ventricular loading conditions. Longer duration of reduced support and performance of exercise may allow for a more realistic evaluation of myocardial function to assess for recovery. Methods: Nine turn-down exams from 4 patients were analyzed. Subjects were participants in a multi-center prospective non-randomized study of LV recovery with HeartMate II LVAD together with a standardized protocol of pharmacological therapy (REmission from STAGE D Heart Failure (RESTAGE-HF)). LVEF and speckle tracking parameters were measured during full support, at 15 minutes of reduced support (6000 rpm) and again after a 6-min walk test. Averaged radial and circumferential strain, and global circumferential strain were analyzed from papillary muscle level short-axis view using speckle-tracking. Results: LV systolic parameters for each of these patients are shown, (Table). Improvement in LV function was not evident at 15 minutes of reduced support, compared to full support but was evident after the 6-min walk test. Conclusions: After 15 minutes of LVAD turndown, LV systolic parameters did not differ from full support values. Improvement in LV function compared to full support became evident when the protocol was extended to include imaging after a longer period of turndown with the addition of a 6-min walk test.