The Increase Study. Effect of Incremental Versus Fixed Pump on Peak Oxygen Consumption in Heart Failure Patients Supported With a Continuous Flow Left Venticular Assist Device
The Increase Study. Effect of Incremental Versus Fixed Pump on Peak Oxygen Consumption in Heart Failure Patients Supported With a Continuous Flow Left Venticular Assist Device
The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between working capacity (peak oxygen
 consumption) and pump speed of continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs)in
 heart failure patients. The hypothesis is that it is possible to increase peak oxygen
 consumption by incrementally increasing CF-LVAD pumpspeed during exercise.

 The study population will consist of severe heart failure patients with CF-LVADs treated at
 The Heart Centre of Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  HeartMate II patients who underwent surgery and follow-up at The Heart Centre of
 Rigshospitalet.

 -  Heart failure in stable phase without the need for intravenous inotropic therapy.

 -  Ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Severe aortic insufficiency.