"Recent clinical trials have shown that both pulsatile and continuous-flow LVADs significantly improve the quality of life and functional capacity of patients with heart failure," the researchers concluded. "Identification of the biomarkers and factors that will aid in risk stratification for patients with LVAD therapy will help move this field forward and enhance patient care."
The study was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the National Institutes for Health Research Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit at the Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, and Imperial College London. Several of the authors reported receiving research support and/or honoraria or speakers fees from Thoratec, Heartware Inc., and Medtronic, all manufacturers of LVADs.