Assessing the Effects of Mechanical Unloading on Repair Version-1

The mechanism by which heart failure initiates and progresses and the mechanisms of heart repair remain unclear.

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a therapy to stabilise patients while they await their transplant. The LVAD helps pump blood around the body, giving the heart an opportunity to recover. During surgery, the apical core tissue is routinely removed to allow the implantation of the device (this tissue is normally discarded). Some patients demonstrate cardiac recovery, allowing the device to be removed without later needing a transplant. As part of the LVAD removal procedure, the section around the device might need to be removed (this tissue is normally discarded). To further understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the heart is repaired, the investigators wish to utilise this surplus tissue for research purposes. The collection of this tissue is part of routine treatment and does not represent additional risk for the patient for research purposes. Some patients might still require a transplant following VAD treatment. The native heart is removed from these patients (routinely discarded) and replaced by a donor heart. The investigators wish to utilise this discarded tissue for research purposes, so that the investigators can identify the cellular and molecular factors involved in cardiac repair and which distinguish responsive and non-responsive patients. Heart transplant recipients who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation will have an additional heart biopsy sample taken for research purposes when performed as part of routine clinical practice. There is no additional risk to the patient for research purposes. Heart failure patients scheduled for transplantation (who have not received a VAD) will be recruited prior to transplantation and their native heart retained for research purposes. An additional peripheral blood sample will be collected from all patients for research purposes when performed for routine clinical practice.