Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Left€Ventricular Assist Devices

RESULTS Overall, AF was documented in 80 patients (32%) following LVAD placement. Before LVAD placement, 182 patients had no history of AF, whereas 67 patients had documented AF. Among these 67 patients, 56 (84%) continued to have AF following LVAD placement; 24 patients without a history of AF (13%) developed AF after LVAD placement. Patients manifesting AF after LVAD placement were more likel...

Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Hemodynamic Ramp Tests in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

OBJECTIVES This study tested whether combined invasive hemodynamic and echocardiographic ramp tests can help optimize patient management. BACKGROUND Guidelines for optimizing speed and medications in continuous flow ventricular assist device (cfLVAD) patients are mainly based on expert opinion. METHODS Thirty-five cfLVAD patients (21 HeartMate II [Thoratec, Pleasanton, California] and 14 HV...

Atrial Arrhythmias and Electroanatomical Remodeling in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices

BACKGROUND The incidence, predictors, and impact of atrial arrhythmias along with left atrial structural changes in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) remain undetermined. METHODS AND RESULTS All patients who underwent LVAD implantation from 2008 to 2015 at the University of Chicago Medical Center were included. Electronic medical records, electrocardiograms, echocardiogram...

Management of patients treated with left ventricular assist devices

This thesis describes the management of patients treated with mechanical circulatory support devices for shortor long-term use. Twenty-four patients suffering from postcardiotomy heart failure were treated with a minimally invasive axial flow pump. The device was effective in unloading the failing left ventricle and in maintaining an adequate systemic circulation. The principles of perioperativ...