Number of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantations increases every year, particularly LVADs for destination therapy (DT). Right ventricular failure (RVF) has been recognized as a serious complication of LVAD implantation. Reported incidence of RVF after LVAD ranges from 6% to 44%, varying mostly due to differences in RVF definition, different types of LVADs, and differences in patien...

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial prophylaxis is commonly administered to patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgeries to prevent infectious complications. However, optimal surgical infection prophylaxis (SIP) for LVAD surgeries is not well defined. METHODS We conducted an electronic survey to characterize LVAD SIP used at different centers performing LVAD implantation. RESULT...

F railty is the aggregation of subclinical physiological insults across many organ systems resulting in a syndrome of heightened vulnerability in the face of stress. Measures of frailty are highly predictive of adverse outcomes in many medical and surgical populations but have never been formally applied to patient selection for destination therapy left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Patient...

357  Abstract Infectious complications of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are associated with increases in morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs. Traditional treatment options include intravenous antibiotics, operative debridement, and pump exchange. Herein, we report the case of a 70-year-old female who developed a LVAD pocket infection two weeks after implantation and was successfu...

BACKGROUND Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction following implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a serious condition and is associated with increased mortality. METHODS The aim of the study is to investigate the significance of pre-existing RV dysfunction, tricuspid valve (TV) insufficiency, and the severity of septal deviation following LVAD implantation on RV dysfunction, ...

BACKGROUND Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have revolutionized the treatment of patients with acute and chronic heart failure as they provide a high quality of life. We report on our experience with patients receiving ambulatory care after LVAD implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS Since July 1995, 46 patients with a mean age of 45+/-11 years underwent implantation of an electrically drive...

BACKGROUND Mechanical unloading of the failing human heart with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) results in clinically documented reversal of chamber dilation and improvement of cardiac function. We tested the hypothesis that LVAD support normalizes the ability of cardiac muscle to respond to sympathetic nervous system stimulation by reversing the downregulation of beta-adrenergic recept...

BACKGROUND Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a promising therapy for patients with advanced heart failure (HF), but bleeding complications remain an important issue. Previous series show that acquired von Willebrand syndrome was present in up to 100 % of first generation LVAD recipients. We report the effects of new generation LVADs on vW factor (vWF) metabolism and activity in our cente...

OBJECTIVES Unexplained bleeding events are a severe complication in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Platelet dysfunction and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) may contribute to bleeding tendencies. Yet, comprehensive data with respect to platelet function and AVWS in LVAD patients in terms of bleeding events are scarce. METHODS Thirty-nine HeartMate II patients we...

BACKGROUND Myocardial recovery after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support has been reported. The LVAD Working Group Recovery Study was a prospective multicenter trial to assess the incidence of myocardial recovery in patients bridged to cardiac transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS After LVAD implantation, patients were evaluated with the use of rest echocardiograms with partial LVAD ...