Cited 4 times since 2017 (0.6 per year) source: EuropePMC ASAIO journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992), Volume 63, Issue 3, 1 1 2017, Pages 266-272 Pump Speed Optimization in Stable Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device. Couperus LE, Delgado V, Khidir MJH, Vester MPM, Palmen M, Fiocco M, Holman ER, Tops LF, Klautz RJM, Verwey HF, Schalij MJ, Beeres SLMA

Optimal left ventricular assist device (LVAD) functioning and preservation of right ventricular (RV) function are major survival determinants in destination therapy (DT)-LVAD recipients. Currently, the indication for routine pump speed optimization in stable patients and its effect on RV function at follow-up remain underexplored. Hemodynamically stable patients (N = 17, age 61 [interquartile range {IQR} 51-66] years; 13 [77%] male) underwent a routine speed ramp test. Echocardiographic images were obtained at incremental speed settings to determine optimal pump speed. In 8 patients (47%), LVAD speed could be optimized. In these patients, RV fractional area change (26% [IQR 23-31] to 35% [IQR 27-45], p = 0.04) and RV longitudinal peak systolic strain (-13% [IQR -16 to -9] to -17% [IQR -18 to -11], p = 0.02) at 3 months follow-up improved without RV dilatation. Furthermore, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level decreased (3,162 [IQR 1,336-4,487] ng/L to 2,294 [IQR 1,157-3,810] ng/L, p = 0.02). No significant follow-up changes were found in patients without indication for speed adjustment. In conclusion, routine evaluation of optimal LVAD speed reveals the potential of speed optimization in a substantial proportion of stable LVAD-DT patients and can improve RV function.

ASAIO J. 2017 5;63(3):266-272