title: Left ventricular assist device management and complications.
abstract: Patients on long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support present unique challenges in the intensive care unit. It is crucial to know the status of end-organ perfusion, which may require invasive hemodynamic monitoring with a systemic arterial and pulmonary artery catheter. Depending on the indication for LVAD support (bridge to decision or cardiac transplantation vs destination therapy), it is important to readdress goals of care with the patient (if possible) and their family after major events have occurred that challenge the survival of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Edo Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Birati
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: eduardo.rame@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: J Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rame
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Complications; Heart failure; Left ventricular assist device; Post-LVAD