Factors Predict Successful Weaning From VAD
FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
"The notion that we can actually wean patients from VADs is still a fairly new concept, and the European experience is larger than that of the United States. This is still a field that is wide open for determining patient selection and predictors of outcome after VAD removal," session moderator Dr. Gregory A. Ewald, medical director of heart transplantation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, said in an interview.
"Clearly, the echocardiographic appearance of the heart on and off support is a good predictor," Dr. Ewald said, but he noted that nonechocardiographic factors such as exercise tolerance were not studied. He also noted that the field has moved to continuous-flow pumps rather than pulsatile pumps, which constituted much of the German experience. It remains to be determined if the same parameters are completely applicable to the newer-generation devices.
Dr. Dandel and Dr. Ewald reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.
