Myocardial recovery is common when left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are combined with aggressive pharmacological management, according to results from an US observational study.

In RESTAGE-HF, a prospective, six-centre, non-randomised study, US researchers investigated whether a uniform protocol of LVAD pump-speed optimisation combined with an aggressive drug regimen and regular testing of underlying myocardial function could lead to an enhanced rate of myocardial recovery.

The analysis included 40 patients (mean age 35 years) with chronic advanced heart failure from nonischaemic cardiomyopathy who received the Heartmate II continuous axial flow LVAD either as a bridge to a heart transplant, or as destination therapy.

Overall, 19 of 36 patients (53%) who completed the protocol were explanted or had their LVAD decommissioned, including 18 patients who reached explant criteria within the 18-month time after LVAD implantation required by the primary endpoint, the authors report in Circulation.