title: Left ventricular assist device implantation: short and long-term surgical complications.
abstract: Long-term implanted left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have significantly improved the care of patients awaiting heart transplantation and will provide an alternative therapy to select patients with heart failure. However, although the technology and clinical results continue to improve, LVAD implantation is still associated with a significant level of complications. Left ventricular assist device-associated complications can be broadly divided by their temporal occurrence. Early complications include perioperative hemorrhage, air embolism, and right ventricular failure. Beyond the perioperative period, late complications consist primarily of infection, thromboembolism, and primary device failure. An improved understanding of the mechanisms involved should aid the clinician in further reducing the incidence of these occurrences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Piccione
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*