Exercise Hemodynamics as a Predictor of Myocardial Recovery in LVAD Patients.

Mechanical circulatory support using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has been demonstrated to improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure. Left ventricular assist device therapy also promotes reverse ventricular remodeling, which in some cases has led to sufficient myocardial recovery to allow LVAD removal. Identification of suitable patients for LVAD removal however remains challenging. We investigated the hypothesis that invasive assessment of exercise hemodynamics may provide additional information in relation to the assessment of contractile reserve in potential candidates for LVAD explant.