Myocardial Fas and Cytokine Expression in End‐Stage Heart Failure: Impact of LVAD Support

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Abstract
Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support may facilitate myocardial recovery. We evaluated the impact of LVAD support on Fas expression in a cohort with end‐stage heart failure. Myocardial gene expression was assessed pre‐ and post‐LVAD by RNase protection assay and compared to control donor hearts. The expression of Fas is markedly elevated at the time of LVAD support and is tightly correlated with TNF expression. While interleukin (IL)‐6 was significantly reduced by LVAD support, the impact of support on Fas was highly variable and tightly linked to tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The role of Fas in predicting recovery after LVAD support requires further investigation.