Effect of IFC Position on LV Unloading
Table S2 lists the univariate linear regression results for the
influence of IFC position on VAD FI, MR, LVEDD, and. Median values for
each LV unloading-related variable are given for reference.
VAD FI data were available for 112, 107, and 95 patients at one, three,
and six months. Median VAD FI ranged from 2.19 – 2.48
L/min/m2, decreasing over time. There was a negative
association between lateral plane angle and LVAD FI at three (p = 0.03)
and six (p = 0.01) months, indicating that an increasing angle predicts
a lower flow index.
When lateral-plane angle is binarized to lateral wall-directed (angle
> 0 deg) or not, there is a significantly lower VAD FI
observed at both three and six months in patients with
laterally-directed IFCs (Figure 6; p = 0.002 for both timepoints).
MR data were available for 83 patients in the early (1-3 month) and 85
patients in the late (6-12 month) timeframe. No patient underwent
concomitant mitral valve repair with LVAD. MR versus pre-LVAD decreased
by a median of one grade on both assessments. There was no association
between IFC position measurements and MR decrement.
Finally, LVEDD was available for 84 patients in the early and 86
patients in the late window. LVEDD decreased by a median 11.7% on early
and 6.5% on late assessment. There was no significant association
between LVEDD decrement and any IFC position measurement.