title: Death on an LVAD-Two sides of a coin.
abstract: LVADs are increasingly being used to support patients with end stage heart failure. As such, the traditional definition of death, the absence of a pulse, requires re-examination as it is no longer clinically relevant. We present two contrasting cases of "death" on LVAD support and present some ethical issues surrounding the end of life on LVAD support.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Justin A K
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Kavitha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muthiah
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kotlyar
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spratt
authors.forename: Kumud
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dhital
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jansz
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006332:Cardiomegaly; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Death; Left ventricular assist device; Ventricular fibrillation