title: Using medical imaging for the detection of adverse events ("incidents") during the utilization of left ventricular assist devices in adult patients with advanced heart failure.
abstract: Ventricular assist devices (VAD) are used for mechanical support of the terminally failing heart. Failure of these life supporting systems can be fatal. Early and reliable detection of any upcoming problems is mandatory and is crucial for the outcome. Medical imaging methods are described within this review, which are not only essential for diagnosis of typically VAD-related complications but also for the detection or verification of technical issues. Within this review the utilization of medical imaging equipment for the diagnosis of technical malfunctions or damages of implanted system components is discussed. A newly developed specialized acoustic imaging method for pump thrombosis detection will also be described along with the most common VAD-related medical complications and their respective imaging methods and the limitations induced by the use of the VAD-system.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery , German Heart Institute Berlin , Berlin , Germany.
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery , German Heart Institute Berlin , Berlin , Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krabatsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans
keywords: CT-scan; Medical imaging; X-ray; acoustic spectrum; adverse events; angiography; bleeding; driveline; echo; endoscopy; incidents; thrombosis; ventricular assist device