scholarly journals Biomarkers in Advanced Heart Failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul S. Loungani ◽  
Robert J. Mentz ◽  
Richa Agarwal ◽  
Adam D. DeVore ◽  
Chetan B. Patel ◽  
...  

Biomarkers have a well-defined role in the diagnosis and management of chronic heart failure, but their role in patients with left ventricular assist devices and cardiac transplant is uncertain. In this review, we summarize the available literature in this patient population, with a focus on clinical application. Some ubiquitous biomarkers, for example, natriuretic peptides and cardiac troponin, may assist in the diagnosis of left ventricular assist device complications and transplant rejection. Novel biomarkers focused on specific pathological processes, such as left ventricular assist device thrombosis and profiling of leukocyte activation, continue to be developed and show promise in altering the management of the advanced heart failure patient. Few biomarkers at this time have been assessed with sufficient scrutiny to warrant broad, universal application, but encouraging limited data and large potential for impact should prompt ongoing investigation.

Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Teruhiko Imamura ◽  
Nikhil Narang

Durable left ventricular assist device therapy has improved survival in patients with advanced heart failure refractory to conventional medical therapy, although the readmission rates due to device-related comorbidities remain high. Left ventricular assist devices are designed to support a failing left ventricle through relief of congestion and improvement of cardiac output. However, many patients still have abnormal hemodynamics even though they may appear to be clinically stable. Furthermore, such abnormal hemodynamics are associated with an increased risk of future adverse events including recurrent heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, stroke, and pump thrombosis. Correction of residual hemodynamic derangements post-implantation may be a target in improving longitudinal clinical outcomes during left ventricular assist device support. Automatic and timely device speed adjustments considering a patients’ hemodynamic status (i.e., with a smart pump) are potential improvements in forthcoming devices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Selmi ◽  
Wei-Che Chiu ◽  
Venkat Keshav Chivukula ◽  
Giulio Melisurgo ◽  
Jennifer Ann Beckman ◽  
...  

Introduction: Despite significant technical advancements in the design and manufacture of Left Ventricular Assist Devices, post-implant thrombotic and thromboembolic complications continue to affect long-term outcomes. Previous efforts, aimed at optimizing pump design as a means of reducing supraphysiologic shear stresses generated within the pump and associated prothrombotic shear-mediated platelet injury, have only partially altered the device hemocompatibility. Methods: We examined hemodynamic mechanisms that synergize with hypershear within the pump to contribute to the thrombogenic potential of the overall Left Ventricular Assist Device system. Results: Numerical simulations of blood flow in differing regions of the Left Ventricular Assist Device system, that is the diseased native left ventricle, the pump inflow cannula, the impeller, the outflow graft and the anastomosed downstream aorta, reveal that prothrombotic hemodynamic conditions might occur at these specific sites. Furthermore, we show that beyond hypershear, additional hemodynamic abnormalities exist within the pump, which may elicit platelet activation, such as recirculation zones and stagnant platelet trajectories. We also provide evidences that particular Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation configurations and specific post-implant patient management strategies, such as those allowing aortic valve opening, are more hemodynamically favorable and reduce the thrombotic risk. Conclusion: We extend the perspective of pump thrombosis secondary to the supraphysiologic shear stress environment of the pump to one of Left Ventricular Assist Device system thrombosis, raising the importance of comprehensive characterization of the different prothrombotic risk factors of the total system as the target to achieve enhanced hemocompatibility and improved clinical outcomes.


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