Effect of Pulsatile and Non-pulsatile Left Ventricular Assist Devices on the Renin-Angiotensin System in Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure

Abstract

Our data suggest that pulsatile as well as non-pulsatile left ventricular assist devices are equally able to treat chronic heart failure. However pulsatile devices seem to have a greater impact on reversing the changes in plasma renin activity and might thus offer a greater advantage when recovery of left ventricular function is expected.