Reduction of pump flow rotation speed from 7000 to 6100 U/min in LVAD patients decreased exercise performance from 70 to 60 Watts and increased NTproBNP, TNF alpha, and IL-8.
Observational (n=12)
Clinical experience has shown that heart failure patients can be safely supported with axial flow pumps for long periods. With the aim to find the right pump flow for LVAD- patients, we investigated the hemodynamic and clinical effects of pump flow reduction in patients during mild exercise training. 12 patients, 30–53 years old, suffering from dilative (n=11) and ischemic (n=1) cardiomyopathy were provided with an Incor LVAD. Repetitive cycle ergometer testing, echocardiography, serum analyses were performed. In the follow-up (18 and 24 months) 3 patients underwent changing pump flow conditions. The exercise performance (stress level from 36–70 Watts and exercise time from 3.6–12.3min) increased. After reduction of pump flow rotation speed from 7000 to 6100U/min the exercise performance decreased from 70Watts to 60 Watts, NTproBNP, TNF alpha and IL-8 increased. IL-6 seemed not be influenceable. Hemoglobin normalized. Aortic valve opens regularly. Fractional shortening dropped, LV-mass and end-systolic diameters (ESD) increased. In conclusion, reduction of flow pump rotation speed of LVAD -patients undergoing mild exercise training influence the exercise capacity, the echocardiographic data and the heart-failure markers. Valued at assessed data, it is possible to achieve the optimal flow pump rotation speed for LVAD-patients.
Ganslmeier et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Dilative and ischemic cardiomyopathy with Incor LVAD (n=12). Pump flow reduction vs. Baseline (7000 U/min) was evaluated on Exercise performance and hemodynamic/heart-failure markers. Reduction of pump flow rotation speed from 7000 to 6100 U/min in LVAD patients decreased exercise performance from 70 to 60 Watts and increased NTproBNP, TNF alpha, and IL-8.