Left ventricular assist device management and complications

Edo Y Birati; J Eduardo Rame

doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2014.04.001

Left ventricular assist device management and complications

Crit Care Clin. 2014 Jul;30(3):607-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2014.04.001.

Authors

Edo Y Birati¹, J Eduardo Rame²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
² Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: eduardo.rame@uphs.upenn.edu.

PMID: 24996611
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2014.04.001

Abstract

Patients on long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support present unique challenges in the intensive care unit. It is crucial to know the status of end-organ perfusion, which may require invasive hemodynamic monitoring with a systemic arterial and pulmonary artery catheter. Depending on the indication for LVAD support (bridge to decision or cardiac transplantation vs destination therapy), it is important to readdress goals of care with the patient (if possible) and their family after major events have occurred that challenge the survival of the patient.

Keywords: Complications; Heart failure; Left ventricular assist device; Post-LVAD.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Critical Care / methods*
Heart-Assist Devices / adverse effects*
Heart-Assist Devices / standards
Humans
Postoperative Complications / etiology*
Postoperative Complications / therapy*
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnosis*
Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / surgery*