Can GDF-15 be Used to Assess ventricular recovery following Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy?

With the rising incidence of end stage heart failure and the stagnating pool of donors, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has emerged as a bridge to recovery/transplant or as destination therapy. However, the number of patients who actually undergo device explant as a result of ventricular recovery happens to be highly variable at the present time [1,2]. Ventricular recovery is a complex phenomenon influenced by several factors such as the etiology/duration of heart failure, extent of scarring and fibrosis of the myocardium at the time of implantation and adjunct medical management protocol tailored for recovery immediately post device implantation.