title: Pharmacotherapy for mechanical circulatory support: a comprehensive review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a comprehensive review of the pharmacotherapy associated with the provision of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) to patients with end-stage heart failure and guidance regarding the selection, assessment, and optimization of drug therapy for this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from 1960 to July 2010 for articles published in English using the search terms mechanical circulatory support, ventricular assist system, ventricular assist device, left ventricular assist device, right ventricular assist device, biventricular assist device, total artificial heart, pulsatile, positive displacement, axial, centrifugal, hemostasis, bleeding, hemodynamic, blood pressure, thrombosis, antithrombotic therapy, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, right ventricular failure, ventricular arrhythmia, anemia, arteriovenous malformation, stroke, infection, and clinical pharmacist.
  
  
  METHODS
  All relevant original studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, and reviews were assessed for inclusion. References from pertinent articles were examined for content not found during the initial search.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCS has advanced significantly since the first left ventricular assist device was implanted in 1966. Further advancements in MCS technology that occurred in the latter decade are changing the overall management of endstage heart failure care and cardiac transplantation. These pumps allow for improved bridge-to-transplant rates, enhanced survival, and quality of life. Pharmacotherapy associated with MCS devices may optimize the performance of the pumps and improve patient outcomes, as well as minimize morbidity related to their adverse effects. This review highlights the knowledge needed to provide appropriate clinical pharmacy services for patients supported by MCS devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HeartMate II clinical investigators called for the involvement of pharmacists in MCS patient assessment and optimization. Pharmacotherapeutic management of patients supported with MCS devices requires individualized care, with pharmacists as part of the team, based on the characteristics of each pump and recipient.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA. censor1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ensor
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Paciullo
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Cahoon
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000639:trends*; D010595:Pharmacists; D057285:Precision Medicine; D024382:Professional Role