Prior studies have shown that left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation commonly results in right ventricular failure (RVF). Right ventricular dysfunction and failure after LVAD implantation is known to increase morbidity and mortality and contribute to longer post-implant hospital length of stay. More severe right ventricular failure is highly correlated with poor prognosis and death post-LVAD implantation. In current practice, patients who receive LVADs require right heart support, provided in the form of inotropes. Vasoactive inotrope score (VIS) is a measure that quantifies the amount of right heart support required post-operatively, including dopamine, dobutamine, milrinone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and vasopressin. It has been used in other studies as a surrogate marker for hemodynamic cardiovascular derangement.

In some cases, right ventricular failure post-LVAD also requires mechanical circulatory support during the perioperative period. Since RVF is difficult to predict and can have harmful effects such as increased ICU stay, adverse outcomes, and mortality, it could be beneficial to preemptively treat patients through preoperative percutaneous right ventricular assist device (RVAD) placement to prevent RVF. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that preemptive use of percutaneous RVADs will mitigate the need for inotropic support in LVAD patients, reducing associated adverse outcomes.

This trial will include both a prospective interventional cohort and a retrospective control cohort. The prospective interventional cohort will consist of patients undergoing LVAD implantation at Massachusetts General Hospital. These patients will receive an RVAD (either the ProtekDuo or Impella RP) prior to LVAD implantation. The historical control cohort will consist of retrospective data collection on patients who have undergone LVAD implantation in the past. This group will be matched with the enrolled prospective interventional patients. The purpose of this study is to compare clinical outcomes of standard of care treatment versus percutaneous RVAD placement preoperatively to LVAD implantation. The investigators hypothesize that the use of the RVAD will mitigate need for inotropic support, reducing the vasoactive-inotrope score (VIS) by 50%, and will improve end organ function in patients compared to standard of care.

There are two types of percutaneous RVADs that will be used in the study: the Impella RP and the ProtekDuo. These devices allow for early intervention in RVF without the need for invasive surgical procedures requiring placement of durable RVADs via thoracotomy or sternotomy. The Impella RP, manufactured by Abiomed, is a heart pump that delivers blood from the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the pulmonary artery (PA). Its insertion is done percutaneously via catheterization through the femoral vein. ProtekDuo, manufactured by TandemLife, is another device placed percutaneously for right heart support via the right internal jugular (RIJ) vein.

Subjects who consent to the study will undergo pre-operative placement of an RVAD, which will be left in up to 72 hours postoperatively. The type of RVAD (Impella RP or ProtekDuo) inserted will be determined by patient needs and venous access and will be up to the discretion of the treating physician. 25 subjects will be enrolled in the prospective interventional cohort and compared to 25 subjects in the matched retrospective control cohort.