Predictors for weaning patients from ventricular assist devices

In order to determine if hemodynamic parameters can accurately predict whether patients can be successfully weaned from ventricular assists devices (VADs), we studied 24 patients supported with Pierce-Donachy VADs (11 left VAD; 6 right VAD; 7 biventricular VAD) following cardiogenic shock for periods from 1.3 to 22 days (mean 5.4). Myocardial recovery was determined by daily measurements of "pump on/pump off" parameters, and the data from seven LVAD patients (64%) and three RVAD patients (50%) whose hearts recovered were compared to the data from those whose did not. Additionally, data from the five patients (71%) weaned from biventricular support were compared to those weaned from only a single LVAD or RVAD. In this study, daily pump on/pump off hemodynamic measurements were found to be predictive of success for weaning patients from VADs. The most significant predictors were increases in mixed venous oxygen saturation, cardiac index, mean arterial pressure and ventricular ejection fraction, as well as decreases in atrial pressures. Seventy percent of the patients weaned from VADs survived, indicating that patients appropriately weaned from VAD support have a reasonable chance of survival.