title: Increased intrathoracic impedance may predict adverse events in LVAD patients.
abstract: We describe a 36-year-old male with a HeartWare LVAD and a Medtronic Virtuoso DR pacemaker in whom increased intrathoracic impedance preceded suction events, low LVAD flows, symptoms of a heart failure exacerbation, and hospitalization. Measurement of intrathoracic impedance may identify fluid shifts prior to symptoms and predict adverse events in patients with an LVAD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Carlo R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: Kimberly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Vessels
authors.forename: Kelly C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: McCants
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002307:Cardiography, Impedance / Q000379:methods*; D018450:Disease Progression; D018495:Fluid Shifts / Q000502:physiology; D005544:Forecasting; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D020896:Hypovolemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*