Avoiding technical pitfalls in left ventricular assist device placement

Cardiol Clin. 2011 Nov;29(4):507-14. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2011.08.008.

Abstract

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement is a serious surgical procedure. At our center, we accumulated a very large experience with the Novacor LVAD from the very first clinical trial, as well as from more recent experiences with the Jarvik 2000 and the HeartMate II. This article discusses technical issues that are common to all durable LVAD devices, with special emphasis on strategy and technical considerations aimed at avoiding surgical pitfalls.

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / methods
  • Blood Loss, Surgical
  • Cardiomegaly / etiology
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / methods
  • Coronary Vessels / surgery
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / prevention & control
  • Embolism, Air / prevention & control
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Hemostasis, Surgical / methods
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / prevention & control
  • Intraoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Sternotomy / methods
  • Suture Techniques
  • Thoracotomy / methods
  • Tissue Adhesives
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Tissue Adhesives