Noncardiac surgery in long-term implantable left ventricular assist-device recipients.
OBJECTIVE
The authors describe their experience with left ventricular assist-device (LVAD) recipients undergoing noncardiac surgery and delineate surgical, anesthetic, and logistic factors important in the successful intraoperative management of these patients.


BACKGROUND
Left ventricular assist-devices have become part of the armamentarium in the treatment of end-stage heart failure. As the numbers of patients chronically supported with long-term implantable devices grows, general surgical problems that are commonly seen in other hospitalized patients are becoming manifest. Of particular interest is the intraoperative management of patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgical procedures.


METHODS
The anesthesia records and clinical charts were reviewed for eight ventricular assist-device recipients undergoing general surgical procedures between August 1, 1990 and August 31, 1994.


RESULTS
A total of 12 procedures were performed in 6 men and 2 women averaging 52.7 years of age. Mean time elapsed from device implantation to operation was 68 +/- 35 days. Conventional inhalational and intravenous anesthetic techniques were well tolerated in these patients undergoing diverse surgical procedures. No perioperative mortality was observed. Five of eight patients went on to successful cardiac transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemodynamic recovery after LVAD insertion has defined a new group of patients who develop noncardiac surgical problems often seen in other critically ill patients. Recognition of the unique potential problems that the LVAD recipient may encounter in the perioperative period--in particular patient positioning, device limitations, and fluid and inotropic management--will ensure an optimal surgical outcome for LVAD recipients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Goldstein
D J
DJ
Department of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Mullis
S L
SL
Delphin
E S
ES
el-Amir
N
N
Ashton
R C
RC
Gardocki
M
M
Jordan
D A
DA
Catanese
K A
KA
Levin
H R
HR
Rose
E A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000770:Anesthesia, Endotracheal; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006339:Heart Rate; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011187:Posture; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left