title: Can the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding in nonpulsatile left ventricular assist device patients provide clues for the reversal of arteriosclerosis?
abstract: This article is written not only to explore the deleterious effects of nonpulsatile flow (namely, gastrointestinal [GI] bleeding), but also to propose the novel concept that deliberate induction of nonpulsatile flow might be harnessed to produce beneficial remodeling in arteriosclerotic arteries. Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices have proven their efficacy in the treatment of end-stage heart disease. They are a reliable option in bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy. An enigmatic consequence of this therapy has been occult GI bleeding.
authors: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
authors: Louis H
authors: LH
authors: Stein
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Elefteriades
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014841:von Willebrand Factor