Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
03:40
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
Left ventricular assist devices: physiologic assessment using echocardiography for management and optimization
Farouk Mookadam1, Christopher B Kendall, Raymond K Wong
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. mookadam.farouk@mayo.edu
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|January 11, 2012
Summary
Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) improve heart failure management. Echocardiography is essential for guiding LVAD use from implantation through long-term patient follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Severe left ventricular dysfunction and medically refractory congestive heart failure necessitate advanced treatments.
- Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly utilized for end-stage heart failure.
- The Thoratec Heartmate II LVAD is now approved for outpatient use by the FDA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a systematic echocardiographic approach for managing patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD).
- To guide clinicians in utilizing echocardiography throughout the LVAD patient care continuum.
Main Methods:
- The study outlines a pragmatic echocardiographic strategy.
- This approach covers pre-LVAD placement, intraoperative guidance, postoperative optimization, and long-term monitoring.
- Echocardiography serves as a fundamental tool at each management stage.
Main Results:
- Echocardiography is crucial for assessing LVAD function and patient hemodynamics.
- The systematic approach facilitates effective LVAD management and optimization.
- Timely echocardiographic evaluation aids in identifying and addressing potential complications.
Conclusions:
- A structured echocardiographic approach is vital for successful left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and management.
- Echocardiography provides essential insights for optimizing LVAD performance and patient outcomes.
- This systematic method supports comprehensive care for LVAD recipients.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
01:22Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
IntroductionA range of clinical features characterizes Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), but it is important to note that many individuals with MVP are asymptomatic and may remain so throughout their lives. For those who do exhibit symptoms, the following are the key clinical features:Palpitations: This is a common symptom where individuals feel an irregular or rapid heartbeat. Palpitations in MVP are often due to arrhythmias such as premature ventricular contractions or supraventricular tachycardia.
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...