Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2021
Abstract
PURPOSE: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is associated with peripheral vascular abnormalities beyond those associated with heart failure (HF). These abnormalities are associated with persistent functional impairments that adversely impact quality of life (QoL). Methods for measuring peripheral vascular function in this population are needed.
METHODS: This pilot study investigated the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using standardized protocols to estimate changes in peripheral (quadriceps) muscle perfusion among patients with HF (INTERMACS profile 3) undergoing LVAD implantation (n = 7). Patients were then stratified by those who did ("responders", n = 4) and did not ("nonresponders", n = 3) report QoL improvement with LVAD support.
RESULTS: Serial measurements obtained preoperatively and 3 months following LVAD implantation showed no significant change (P > .23) in muscle perfusion by all CEUS-based measures at rest or with an exercise stimulus for the overall population. Responders exhibited improved muscle perfusion at rest (P = .043) and decreased time to peak contrast enhancement (P = .010) at 3 months compared with baseline, suggesting improved delivery of blood to the extremities post-LVAD. Nonresponders showed unchanged resting muscle perfusion (P > .99), time to peak contrast enhancement (P = .59), and response to exercise stimulus (P > .99) following LVAD therapy.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that CEUS evaluation is a promising noninvasive, quantitative modality for real-time assessment of peripheral vasculature and muscle perfusion as an indication of treatment response in LVAD recipients and that this modality may capture perfusion measures important to QoL following LVAD implantation.
Recommended Citation
Delaney, Lauren J.; Fitzgerald, Kathleen; Stanczak, Maria; Machado, Priscilla; Entwistle, John W..C.; Forsberg, Flemming; and Reeves, Gordon R., "Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Muscle Perfusion May Indicate Patient Response to Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy." (2021). Department of Radiology Faculty Papers. Paper 125.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/radiologyfp/125
PubMed ID
33665892
Language
English
Comments
This is the author's final version of the article from Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, 2021 Dec, 40(12):2675-2683.
The final published version of the article can be accessed on the journal's website: https://doi.org/10.1002/jum.15658.
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