Flow mediated dilation in patient with Berlin Heart Incor left ventricle assist device.
Endothelial function measured with brachial ultrasound (BU) is a validated prognostic factor in heart failure patients. LVAD (left ventricle assist device) application is a promising surgical technique to treat refractory heart failure patients both as a bridge to heart transplantation or as destination therapy. Clinical recovery in such patients may be associated to normal endothelial function measured by BU but, as recently reported, only in pulsatile flow LVAD patients. The present paper report a case of normal endothelial function even in a axial LVAD patient.
Tarro Genta
Franco
F
Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Casa di Cura Major, Torino, Italy. franco.tarrogenta@fsm.it
Colajanni
Elena
E
Sbarra
Pierluigi
P
Tidu
Massimo
M
Rinaldi
Mauro
M
Bosimini
Enzo
E
D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D014463:Ultrasonography