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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
Pearls and pitfalls in managing right heart failure in cardiac surgery
Francois Haddad1, Mahsa Elmi-Sarabi, Elie Fadel
1aDepartment of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA bDepartment of Anesthesiology and Division of Critical Care, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada cDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Marie Lannelongue Surgical Center, University of Paris-South, Paris, France.
Purpose Of Review:
To review the recent insights in the evaluation and management of perioperative (RHF).
Recent Findings:
Recent studies highlight the potential role of myocardial deformation imaging in the evaluation of patients at risk of postoperative RHF. There is also a growing interest to study the value of load-adaptation indices of the right heart in the setting of pulmonary hypertension or left ventricular assist device implantation. Finally, the field of temporary extracorporeal life support devices for RHF is rapidly evolving and new strategies are emerging.
Summary:
An integrated approach for assessing the cardiopulmonary axis combining imaging, hemodynamic and tissue perfusion monitoring is emerging, as particularly helpful in the field. Several developments in the field of temporary right heart support including the pumpless interventional lung assist membrane ventilator are offering new opportunities to support the right-heart pulmonary circulation. Future multicenter studies are needed to develop more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for RHF.
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