Comprehensive effects of left ventricular assist device speed changes on alveolar gas exchange, sleep ventilatory pattern, and exercise performance

Determinants of Functional Capacity and Quality of Life After Implantation of a Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device

“…[ 50 ] In 2018, these findings were confirmed in a study investigating Jarvik 2000 recipients, although that study reported a possible increased risk of AEs (obstructive sleep apnoea). [ 40 ]…”

“…[ 69 ] Increasing pump speed during exercise has been investigated in several studies and, in most, has been associated with improved FC. [ 36 , 40 , 43 , 50 , 70 ] Likely, a future ‘smart pump’ with the ability to increase pump speed in response to increased LV filling during exercise would be beneficial for the FC of LVAD recipients.…”

Commentary: Optimize the speed, enhance the patient's life

“…As such, conceptualizing hemodynamically guided VAD speed changes before a patient's condition deteriorates further as a preemptive optimization strategy may lead to overall reduction in VAD-related adverse events and an improvement in quality of life, although its true effect remains to be evaluated prospectively in larger cohorts. 8,9 This preemptive strategy has been an integral practice at our institution during the last 5 years, as we have grown more enthusiastic about evaluating hemodynamics in our patients with VADs, which has often led to changes in our management that would not have been apparent with other modalities.…”

Effects of left ventricular assist device on cardiopulmonary exercise performance

“…In the entire population, peak VO 2 increase was Δ 1.37 ± 2.29 mL/kg/min ( P < 0.05). The higher VO 2 at AT and the increased number of subjects with an identifiable AT reflect an improved haemodynamic pattern, likely due to increased cardiac output (CO), since AT is strictly CO‐dependent . AT changes reflect daily activity improvement.…”