The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Oct 2008
Tricuspid annular motion as a predictor of severe right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device implantation.
Right ventricular (RV) failure after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine pre-operative right heart echocardiographic predictors of post-LVAD severe RV failure. ⋯ Tricuspid annular motion is a predictor of post-LVAD RV failure. Using tricuspid annular motion in addition to conventional criteria may aid in early identification of patients with prolonged inotropic support or severe RV failure and allow for better pre-operative planning.