Evaluation of late aortic insufficiency with continuous flow left ventricular assist device [1]
The paper evaluates de novo development of aortic insufficiency (AI) following implantation of continuous flow left ventricular assist (84 HeartMate II, 13 HeartWare, 2 VentrAssist). Preoperatively, 17 patients had mild AI, which did not change later. Fourty-three of the other 82 patients developed new AI, with no influence on survival. Rate of freedom from de novo AI at 1 year after VAD implantation was 35.9%. Smaller body surface area, larger aortic root diameter and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure were identified as the independent preoperative risk factors.