A review of cardiac contractility indices during LVAD support

Abstract

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used as a mechanical circulatory support in heart failure patients. The diagnostic of cardiac contractility is important to monitor the state of heart failure in the course of reverse remodeling and right heart protection during LVADs. Several cardiac contractility indices were developed to determine contractility using left ventricular pressure (LVP) and/or left ventricular volume (LVV). Most of them are required an invasive measurement that is not suitable for frequently monitoring in long-term support. The new indices that can derive from non-invasive measurement had been proposed by using ultrasound measurement and pump flow. The benefits and limitations of cardiac contractility indices during LVAD support were discussed. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.