scholarly journals Neurocognitive profile of patients with continuous flow Left Ventricular Assist Device

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Simoni ◽  
Martina Rafanelli ◽  
Andrea Ungar ◽  
Enrico Mossello ◽  
Niccolò Marchionni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Transplantation ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Continuous Flow ◽  
Severe Heart Failure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist

The increase of severe heart failure and the consequent reduction of the organ availability for transplantation has led to, in recent years, the introduction of the LVAD as replacement therapy to heart transplantation. Severe Heart Failure patients show cognitive deficits in various domains especially in executive functions, memory and speed of proceedings, due to different neurophysiopathological processes including chronic hypoperfusion and subsequent damage to hippocampal and para-hippocampal cortical areas. It is also known that these deficits improve after heart transplantation. We carried out a literature review selecting studies that analyzed the cognitive changes in patients with severe heart failure after implantation of the Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device. According to the inclusion criteria, we selected four studies since 2005 that presented a comprehensive neurocognitive assessment. The results show that the cognitive profile, with the implantation of LVAD improves in memory and executive domains, and this improvements results stable in short- medium time. The effects would also be independent of the type of flow produced by the device (pulsatile vs continuous). We believe that further studies are required to explore the relationship between LVAD and cognitive function in severe heart failure.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Hemodynamical Response of a Cardiovascular System under Support of a Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device via Numerical Modeling and Simulations

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selim Bozkurt ◽  
Koray K. Safak
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Continuous Flow ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Circulatory Support ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common type of the heart failure which can be characterized by impaired ventricular contractility. Mechanical circulatory support devices were introduced into practice for the heart failure patients to bridge the time between the decision to transplant and the actual transplantation which is not sufficient due to the state of donor organ supply. In this study, the hemodynamic response of a cardiovascular system that includes a dilated cardiomyopathic heart under support of a newly developed continuous flow left ventricular assist device—Heart Turcica Axial—was evaluated employing computer simulations. For the evaluation, a numerical model which describes the pressure-flow rate relations of Heart Turcica Axial, a cardiovascular system model describing the healthy and pathological hemodynamics, and a baroreflex model regulating the heart rate were used. Heart Turcica Axial was operated between 8000 rpm and 11000 rpm speeds with 1000 rpm increments for assessing the pump performance and response of the cardiovascular system. The results also give an insight about the range of the possible operating speeds of Heart Turcica Axial in a clinical application. Based on the findings, operating speed of Heart Turcica Axial should be between 10000 rpm and 11000 rpm.

scholarly journals Left ventricular assist device: which emotional impact on the patient?

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluigi Balestroni ◽  
Giovanna Omarini ◽  
Pierangela Omarini ◽  
Massimo Pistono ◽  
Ugo Corrà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Heart Transplantation ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist

Background: Advanced heart failure is a challenging disease; the implantable Left Ventricular Assist Device (L-VAD) is becoming a good chance for relieving symptoms and prolong survival in most CHF patients. The emotional impact of L-VAD implantation is thought to be high but, at present, published data are scant about that. Aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications of perceived quality of life (QoL) in a group of patients recently treated with L-VAD implantation, admitted to a residential cardiac rehabilitation program, and to compare the results to those obtained in patients awaiting heart transplantation and recently transplanted. Material and Method: We enrolled 66 patients (pts) with a recent implant of L-VAD, 51 with refractory heart failure awaiting heart transplantation (HT) and 55 recently treated with HT. On day two after admission, all patients underwent a complete psychometric assessment consisting in the compilation of: – Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) – Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) – Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI - II) Results: L-VAD recipients had significantly higher scores at MLHFQ. Both the total score and the 2 subscales scores (respectively physical and emotional disturbances) were statistically significant when compared with posttransplant patients. Post- transplant pts had the lowest scores regarding anxiety symptoms, while the bearers of device had the highest ones. The same results were obtained for depression scores (BDI - II), both in total score and in the subscales (somatic symptoms and affective symptoms). Conclusions: With an opening scoring, this study showed the development of more relevant psychological troubles in patients treated with L-VAD when compared to those awaiting for heart transplantation and those transplanted.

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