Early right HF (RHF) was frequent, but often transient, after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, while late RHF after LVAD was associated with worse outcomes, according to results published in Circulation: Heart Failure. Stavros Drakos, MD, PhD, and colleagues examined RHF after LVAD among 5,537 patients. The prevalence of 1-month RHF was 24%; it persisted at 12 months in 5.3% of patients. Novel RHF at 3 months was reported in 5.1% of patients and remained at 12 months in 17%. RHF at 6 months was observed in 4.8% of patients and remained at 12 months in 25%. Survival at 2 years was lowest with persistent RHF at 3 months (57%).

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