Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) induced reverse remodeling

With increasing incidence of end-stage heart failure the Habilitation waiting list for cardiac transplantation is growing tremendously. Left ventricular assist device implantation (LVAD) is the only option for patients deteriorating on the waiting-list. However, the world-wide organ shortage leads to further increasing time on the waiting-list. Because outcome of patients supported with a LVAD system is worse beyond 1 year of support, the effect of LVAD induced reverse remodeling with the option of LVAD explant without the need for cardiac transplantation is of great interest in the fi eld of LVAD research. This book gives an up-to-date overview and thoughts for the future on the topic of LVAD induced reverse remodeling.