Controversies and Challenges of Ventricular Assist Device Therapy

Evolving Mechanical Support Research Group (EMERG)

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has emerged as an increasingly vital facet of the treatment algorithm for advanced heart failure. Growing experience with LVAD support has led to substantial improvements in outcomes, with 1-year survival rates approaching that of cardiac transplantation. These therapeutic refinements have engendered growing interests in the potential for expanding the clinical indications for LVAD therapy to patients with less advanced heart failure. The primary obstacles to this evolution of care center largely on the prevention and/or management of the adverse events associated with LVAD therapy along with patient preference. Many programs also face the mounting difficulty of balancing quality outcomes with the increased volume of implants. During the recently assembled Users Meeting organized by St. Jude Medical, heart failure clinicians from nearly 50 LVAD implanting centers discussed these and other challenges and controversies impacting the field. The present review summarizes the key insights gleaned from this meeting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1219-1224
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Cardiology
Volume121
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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