LVAD as a Bridge to Remission from Advanced Heart Failure: Current Data and Opportunities for Improvement
Christos P. Kyriakopoulos, Chris J. Kapelios, Elizabeth L. Stauder, Iosif Taleb, Rana Hamouche, Konstantinos Sideris, Antigone Koliopoulou, Michael Bonios, Stavros G. Drakos
Abstract
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an established treatment modality for advanced heart failure (HF). It has been shown that through volume and pressure unloading they can lead to significant functional and structural cardiac improvement, allowing LVAD support withdrawal in a subset of patients. In the first part of this review, we discuss the historical background, current evidence on the incidence and assessment of LVAD-mediated cardiac recovery, and out-comes including quality of life after LVAD support withdrawal. In the second part, we discuss current and future opportunities to promote LVAD-mediated reverse remodeling and improve our pathophysiological understanding of HF and recovery for the benefit of the greater HF population.