Impact of LVAD Implantation on Micro- and Macrovascular Function

Klinik für Kardiologie, Pneumologie und Angiologie60 enrolled

Overview

End stage heart failure is characterized by a critical inability of the heart to meet the organism's blood demand even under resting conditions. Heart transplantation (HTx) is the established therapeutic approach in the treatment of end stage heart failure and still the gold standard treatment. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are considered as a vital therapeutic option to temporarily or permanently assist the failing circulation. The hemodynamic vascular consequences of implanting LVADs have not been studied in detail. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of LVAD implantation compared to heart transplant (HTx) on micro- and macrovascular function in patients with end stage heart failure.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

End Stage Heart Failure

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * patients after HTX * patients after LVAD implantation * patients with stable coronary heart disease and normal systolic left ventricular function * healthy volunteers * written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * acute inflammation * cardiac arrhythmia * renal failure * malignant disease

Locations (1)

Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine Duesseldorf,

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Macrovascular function measured by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD)

Time frame: 3 months after implantation

Secondary Outcomes

Microvascular function assessed by non-invasive laser Doppler imaging

Time frame: 3 months after implantation

microparticles determined by Flow Cytometry

Time frame: 3 months after implantation