The Hemodynamic Effects of Aortic Insufficiency in Patients Supported With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background: The impact of aortic insufficiency (AI) on the morbidity and mortality of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients remains controversial. This study's aim was to assess the hemodynamics of LVAD patients with at least mild AI, at baseline and in response to device speed changes. Methods and Results: Asymptomatic LVAD patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent a hemodynamic and echocardiographic ramp study. Hemodynamics at rest and in response to device speed changes were compared between patients with at least mild AI at their baseline speed and patients without AI. Fift-five patients were enrolled in the study, and 42% had AI. The AI group had higher baseline central venous pressure (11 +/- 5 vs 8 +/- 5 min Hg; P = .03), higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (16 +/- 6 vs 12 +/- 6 mm Hg; P = .02) and lower pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPI) (2.3 +/- 1.3 vs 3.6 +/- 2.4; P = .01). Cardiac index (CI) increased and PCWP decreased in both groups by simile degrees during the ramp study. AI worsened in 78% of patients during the ramp study. Conclusions: LVAD patients with at least mild AI have increased filling pressures and reduced PAPI. Normalization of filling pressures can be achieved by increasing LVAD speed; however, this concomitantly worsens AI severity. The long-term hemodynamic consequences of this approach are unknown.