Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Primer For the General Cardiologist

Sunit Preet Chaudhry*, Adam D. Devore, Himabindu Vidula, Michael Nassif, Karol Mudy, Edo Y. Birati, Timothy Gong, Pavan Atluri, Duc Pham, Benjamin Sun, Aditya Bansal, Samer S. Najjar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Durable implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been shown to improve survival and quality of life for patients with stage D heart failure. Even though LVADs remain underused overall, the number of patients with heart failure supported with LVADs is steadily increasing. Therefore, general cardiologists will increasingly encounter these patients. In this review, we provide an overview of the field of durable LVADs. We discuss which patients should be referred for consideration of advanced heart failure therapies. We summarize the basic principles of LVAD care, including medical and surgical considerations. We also discuss the common complications associated with LVAD therapy, including bleeding, infections, thrombotic issues, and neurologic events. Our goal is to provide a primer for the general cardiologist in the recognition of patients who could benefit from LVADs and in the principles of managing patients with LVAD. Our hope is to “demystify” LVADs for the general cardiologist.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere027251
JournalJournal of the American Heart Association
Volume11
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 2022

Keywords

  • chronic systolic heart failure
  • end stage heart failure
  • left ventricular assist device
  • mechanical circulatory support
  • stage D heart failure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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