EVALUATION OF CARDIAC FUNCTION DURING VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE USES

Abstract

Among 6 cases of VAD uses in our institute, successful weaning were done on 4 cases evaluating cardiac functions during VAD uses as follows. In the early phase of p. o. course, evaluation were done during brief interruptions (10-15sec) of VAD. OFF/ON ratio of AOP started from 0.4-0.5 in the first p. o. day and gradually increased up to 0.8 which indicate readiness for weaning off VAD. Afterwards, VAD was stopped temporarily for 10-15min with Heparin 1mg/kg and measurement of CI and PCWP provided further evaluations. Our weaning criteria is CI>2.0l/min/m² and PCWP7<20mmHg . Dose response of catecholamines on the function might also be good indicator for cardiac reserve.