Right Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function as Assessed by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Improve With Prolonged Isolated Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

摘要

The assessment of right ventricular (RV) function among patients supported with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is of critical importance. RV failure is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality after LVAD implantation.1 In addition, as an LVAD primarily unloads the left ventricle (LV), it is unknown whether underlying RV pathology progresses over time, leading to deterioration in RV function among patients chronically supported with a LVAD.