Left ventricular assist device malfunction: a systematic approach to diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
A protocol was designed to diagnose the common malfunctions of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).


BACKGROUND
Mechanical circulatory support, primarily with an LVAD, is increasingly used for treatment of advanced heart failure (HF). Left ventricular assist device dysfunction is a recognized complication; but heretofore, a systematic method to accurately diagnose LVAD dysfunction has not been thoroughly described.


METHODS
We developed a catheter-based protocol designed to characterize a normally functioning LVAD and diagnose multiple types of dysfunction. A total of 15 studies of 10 patients supported with an LVAD were reviewed. All patients had been evaluated due to concerns regarding LVAD dysfunction.


RESULTS
Of 15 examinations performed, 11 documented severe LVAD inflow valve regurgitation. One of these cases proved to have coexistent severe mitral valve regurgitation. One case was diagnosed with distortion of the LVAD outflow graft. One case of suspected embolization from the pumping chamber excluded the outflow graft as the source of emboli. One study had aortic insufficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
As LVAD use for treatment of end-stage HF becomes widespread and durations of support are extended, dysfunction will be increasingly prevalent. This catheter-based protocol provided a practical method to diagnose multiple causes of LVAD dysfunction.
Horton
Steven C
SC
Department of Cardiology, LDS Hospital and University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, 84103, USA. SCHorton@msn.com
Khodaverdian
Reza
R
Powers
Amanda
A
Revenaugh
James
J
Renlund
Dale G
DG
Moore
Stephanie A
SA
Rasmusson
Brad
B
Nelson
Karl E
KE
Long
James W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology