Fusion of aortic valve commissures in patients supported by a continuous axial flow left ventricular assist device.
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an important therapy for selected individuals with advanced heart failure unable to wait for a suitable donor for transplantation. Pulsatile LVADs are associated with commissural fusion of the aortic valve, yet little is known about this association with newer generation continuous axial flow LVADs.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed pathologic samples from 9 patients enrolled in the HeartMate II Bridge to Transplantation Trial. Echocardiograms at 1, 6 and 12 months after device placement were evaluated for aortic valve opening and aortic insufficiency. At the time of transplantation, explanted hearts were examined for gross pathologic valvular abnormalities and histologic analysis.


RESULTS
All but 1 explant had evidence of commissural fusion of the native aortic valve leaflets. Over time there was a decreasing prevalence of aortic valve opening and an increasing prevalence of mild to moderate aortic insufficiency independent of pump speed. All patients had improvements in their functional status and were successfully bridged to orthotopic heart transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Commissural fusion of the native aortic valve leaflets occurs frequently with an increasing prevalence of aortic insufficiency during continuous flow LVAD support. With the potential broader use of non-pulsatile LVADs and the prospect of using LVADs as means to assist in myocardial recovery, special attention should be given to evaluating aortic valve function during LVAD support.
Mudd
James O
JO
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Cuda
Jonathan D
JD
Halushka
Marc
M
Soderlund
Karl A
KA
Conte
John V
JV
Russell
Stuart D
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004452:Echocardiography; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors