Using pulsatility responses to breath-hold maneuvers to predict readmission rates in continuous-flow left ventricular assist device patients

Background: Dynamic respiratory maneuvers induce heterogenous changes to flow-pulsatility in continuous-flow left ventricular assist device patients. We evaluated the association of these pulsatility responses with patient hemodynamics and outcomes.Methods: Responses obtained from HVAD (Medtronic) outpatients during successive weekly clinics were categorized into three ordinal groups according to the percentage reduction in flow-waveform pulsatility (peak-trough flow) upon inspiratory-breath-hold, (%triangle P): (1) minimal change (%triangle P <= 50), (2) reduced pulsatility (%triangle P > 50 but <100), (3) flatline (%triangle P = 100). Same-day echocardiography and right-heart-catheterization were performed. Readmissions were compared between patients with >= 1 flatline response (F-group) and those without (NF-group).Results: Overall, 712 responses were obtained from 55 patients (82% male, age 56.4 +/- 11.5). When compared to minimal change, reduced pulsatility and flatline responses were associated with lower central venous pressure (14.2 vs. 11.4 vs. 9.0 mm Hg, p = 0.08) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (19.8 vs. 14.3 vs. 13.0 mm Hg, p = 0.03), lower rates of >= moderate mitral regurgitation (48% vs. 13% vs. 10%, p = 0.01), lower rates of >= moderate right ventricular impairment (62% vs. 25% vs. 27%, p = 0.03), and increased rates of aortic valve opening (32% vs. 50% vs. 75%, p = 0.03). The F-group (n = 28) experienced numerically lower all-cause readmissions (1.51 vs. 2.79 events-per-patient-year [EPPY], hazard-ratio [HR] = 0.67, p = 0.12), reduced heart failure readmissions (0.07 vs. 0.57 EPPY, HR = 0.15, p = 0.008), and superior readmission-free survival (HR = 0.47, log-rank p = 0.04). Syncopal readmissions occurred exclusively in the F-group (0.20 vs. 0 EPPY, p = 0.01).Conclusion: Responses to inspiratory-breath-hold predicted hemodynamics and readmission risk. The impact of inspiratory-breath-hold on pulsatility can non-invasively guide hemodynamic management decisions, patient optimization, and readmission risk stratification.