Preoperative risk factors for right ventricular failure after implantable left ventricular assist device insertion

Background. Implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion complicated by early right ventricular (RV) failure has a poor prognosis and is generally unpredictable. Methods. To determine preoperative risk factors for perioperative RV failure after LVAD insertion, patient characteristics and preoperative hemodynamics were analyzed in 100 patients with the Hearth late LVAD (Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc, Woburn, MA) at the Cleveland Clinic. Results. RV assist device support was required for II patients (RVAD group). RVAD use was significantly higher in younger patients, female patients, smaller patients, and myocarditis patients. There was no significant difference in the cardiac index, RV ejection fraction, or right atrial pressure between the two groups preoperatively. The preoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and RV stroke work index (RV SWI) were significantly lower in the RVAD group (p = 0.015 and p = 0.011, respectively). Survival to transplant was poor in the RVAD group (27%) and was 83% in the no-RVAD group. Conclusions. The need for perioperative RVAD support was low, only 11%. Preoperative low PAP and low RV SWI were significant risk factors for RVAD use. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.