title: Gastrointestinal consequences of left ventricular assist device placement.
abstract: Left ventricular assist devices effectively improve hemodynamic function and reverse renal and hepatic dysfunction; however, their effects upon the gastrointestinal (Gl) system have not been addressed. We evaluated Gl function in 27 left ventricular assist device recipients using interviews, Gl contrast studies, endoscopy, and 99mTc sulfur colloid studies of esophageal transit and gastric emptying. While on left ventricular assist device support (mean duration of 84 days), 19 patients reported early satiety and/or nausea, and 1 was unable to tolerate oral intake. Esophageal transit time (normal, < 10 sec) was borderline slow at 14 +/- 4 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) and gastric emptying (normal < 90 min) was prolonged (range of 106-506 min, mean = 283 +/- 69 min). In a 1-38 month follow-up, gastric function subjectively improved in all. Six patients had intraperitoneal device placement. One died of aspiration pneumonia secondary to small bowel obstruction, and one had prolonged inability to tolerate oral intake, which required feeding jejunostomy tube placement. The 21 patients with pre peritoneal placement of the device did not require Gl operative interventions and had no catastrophic Gl events; they had mild to no Gl complaints. Pre peritoneal placement may mitigate early satiety and obviate serious Gl complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: el-Amir
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardocki
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Markowitz
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Greenspan
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Catanese
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Oz
mesh_terms: D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D013667:Technetium