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Utility of Cardiac Computed Tomography in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

  • Cardiac Computed Tomography (M Cheezum and B Chow, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The number of left ventricular assist device implants has increased significantly in the last decade. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) optimization, trouble-shooting complications, and surgical planning require a multi-modality imaging approach. Echocardiography remains the imaging modality of choice, particularly for physiological evaluation but accurate anatomical evaluation of the entirety of the LVAD is often challenging if not impossible. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) offers additional information that is valuable in taking care of these complex patients. The purpose of this review is to understand the nuances of LVAD imaging and areas where CCT can aid LVAD evaluation and management.

Recent Findings

CCT has a well-established role in trouble-shooting complications particularly inflow and outflow cannula-related anatomic complications from suction and kinking. Even though the literature is scarce, there is evolving data to suggest that adverse inflow and outflow cannula positions may result in unfavorable outcomes. There is more interest in novel mechanisms of device implantation and planning for which data set from CCT is ideal. Functional evaluation of the right ventricle with CCT is becoming more sophisticated and maybe particularly useful in this patient population. Development in CCT technology has helped minimize safety concerns and improved image quality with reduction in LVAD-related artifacts.

Summary

CCT is an important adjunct modality to echocardiography for patients with LVAD. Information obtained from CCT may help our understanding of LVAD and in turn help reduce and managed LVAD-related complications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Mahwash Kassi

  2. Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin Street, SM-677, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Bashar Hannawi & Su Min Chang

  3. Graduate Medical Education, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL, USA

    Sardar Muhammad Alamzaib

  4. Computed Tomography, Siemens Healthineers, Malvern, PA, USA

    Juan C. Ramirez Giraldo

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  1. Mahwash Kassi
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  2. Bashar Hannawi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Su Min Chang.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Chang is recipient of a Houston Methodist –Siemens Research Collaborative Grant.

Dr. Ramirez Giraldo is an employee of Siemens HealthCare.

All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Cardiac Computed Tomography

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Kassi, M., Hannawi, B., Alamzaib, S.M. et al. Utility of Cardiac Computed Tomography in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices. Curr Cardiovasc Imaging Rep 11, 30 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-018-9466-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12410-018-9466-0

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