Q: What percentage of patients after Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) may developed Aortic Regurgitation?

Answer:  In about 25 percent

Those patients who develop clinically significant aortic regurgitation may require surgery. One non-surgical fix is to keep the pump speed set to maintain intermittent AV opening under. This should be performed by experienced cardiologist under echocardiographic monitoring. This is probably due to the fusion of aortic valve leaflets. 


References:

1. Pak SW, Uriel N, Takayama H, et al. Prevalence of de novo aortic insufficiency during long-term support with left ventricular assist devices. J Heart Lung Transplant 2010; 29:1172. 

2. Cowger J, Pagani FD, Haft JW, et al. The development of aortic insufficiency in left ventricular assist device-supported patients. Circ Heart Fail 2010; 3:668. 

3. Hatano M, Kinugawa K, Shiga T, et al. Less frequent opening of the aortic valve and a continuous flow pump are risk factors for postoperative onset of aortic insufficiency in patients with a left ventricular assist device. Circ J 2011; 75:1147.