How to Do Echo in Left Ventricular Assist Device Candidates: A Consensus Statement of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Abstract

Accurate selection of patients referred for LVADs is essential to prevent peri- and postoperative complicationsEchocardiography is the first line imaging modality for the evaluation of LVAD candidatesStudy of RV geometry and function is mandatory to detect subclinical RV dysfunction which could cause RV failure after-LVAD implantation, a frequent and potentially life-threatening complicationSevere valvular heart disease, ascendant aorta and possible intracardiac thrombi or shunts should be carefully evaluated, since these may represent some limit to LVAD implantation.