Cor Vasa 2011, 53(1-2):55-59

The role of echocardiography in the care of patients with the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device

Tomáš Marek^1,*, Zora Dorazilová¹, František Straka², Ivan Netuka², Jan Pirk², Ivo Skalský²

¹ Klinika kardiologie

² Klinika kardiovaskulární chirurgie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha, Česká republika

Mechanical cardiac support devices are gradually becoming an integral part of care of patients with end-stage heart failure. Echocardio-graphy is the main imaging technique helpful in providing this type of care from the decision-making process to long-term follow-up after implantation. The authors of this overview report on their own experience with echocardiography in assessing more than 50 patients with HeartMate II device implantation over a period of five years.

Keywords: Echocardiography; Mechanical cardiac support; Heart failure

Published: January 1, 2011  Show citation