Evidence of improved right ventricular structure after LVAD support in patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Background: Although many reports demonstrate the hemodynamic benefits of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) in right-sided circulation, it is not known whether the right ventricular myocardium goes through reverse remodeling after left ventricular mechanical circulatory support. Accordingly, the purposes of our studies were 1) to investigate the right ventricular changes that occur in fibrosis, in cellular hypertrophy, and in intra-myocardial tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in patients receiving LVAD support; and 2) p determine whether the type of LVAD used influences right ventricular myocardial changes.