Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Compression: Incidence, Clinical Associations and Potential Etiologies
Cory R Trankle1, John D Grizzard2, Keyur B Shah1
1Division of Cardiology, VCU Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Outflow graft narrowing in HeartMate left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is linked to extrinsic compression, not thrombus. Further research is needed to understand the clinical impact of this complication.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are crucial for advanced heart failure treatment.
- Device proliferation has revealed complications like outflow graft narrowing due to extrinsic compression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of outflow graft narrowing in LVAD patients.
- To identify factors associated with graft narrowing.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 241 LVAD patients with postimplantation computed tomography angiographies.
- Analysis of outflow graft lumen and characterization of narrowing.
- Multivariable analysis to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- 14% of analyzed patients (15/110) showed outflow graft narrowing, exclusively in HeartMate devices within the bend relief area.
- Invasive evaluation of 3 patients revealed extrinsic compression from biodebris, not intraluminal thrombus.
- HeartWare devices showed biodebris but no lumen narrowing.
- Time to scan, nonischemic cardiomyopathy, and age at implant were associated with increased narrowing risk.
Conclusions:
- Outflow graft narrowing occurs in HeartMate LVADs, specifically at the bend relief, caused by extrinsic compression.
- The clinical significance of this narrowing requires further investigation.
- Findings suggest a potential device-specific issue requiring continued monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...

