Abstract
The implantation of mechanical circulatory supports is, together with heart transplantation, the basic modality of therapy for the end-stage heart failure. The most frequent left ventricular assist devices with continuous flow improve survival and quality of life of their recipients, but they also put them at risk through a number of specific complications.
One of the potential side effects under intensive discussion is unfavorable impact of continuous blood flow on the vascular system. A number of methods are used to study this phenomenon; among the most frequently used are imaging methods, including vascular ultrasound, but also laboratory methods including circulating microparticles, endothelial progenitor cells, microRNA etc.
In this article we would like to summarize our previous findings and experiences in this field.