Importance and clinical implications of new methods for grading the aortic valve regurgitation in patients supported with a continuous-flow LVAD

We have read with great interest the recently published study by Holley and colleagues.1 In his study moderate or severe aortic valve insufficiency (AI) occurred in 32 out of 237 patients implanted with an HeartMate II CF-LVADs after a median follow-up of 582 days. AI was graded visually and only moderate and severe were considered clinically significant. At last follow-up there was no difference in survival between patients who developed significant AI and those who did not (p = 0.73). In contrast with those results, Grinstein and el.
Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Source Type: research