Changes in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: “The Post-VAD Residual”

An elevated pulmonary artery pressure is common in advanced heart failure patients with irreversible elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and is considered a contraindication to heart transplantation owing to a concern for the precipitation of right ventricular (RV) failure in the face of an increased RV afterload. Theoretically, unloading of the left ventricle and a decrease in the left ventricular end diastolic pressures may result in...