title: Sequential radionuclide imaging during paracorporeal left ventricular support.
abstract: A paracorporeal left ventricular to ascending aorta assist device (LVAD) was utilized in four patients with refractory cardiogenic shock following cardiac surgery. Hemodynamic stabilization was achieved in all four patients, two of whom were subsequently discharged from the hospital and continue to do well one year later. A technique is described for obtaining radionuclide ejection fractions (EFs) during temporary LVAD interruption. The EFs appeared to be predictive of eventual unassisted ventricular function and possibly of patient survival.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000628:therapy; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016276:Ventricular Function