Emergency Department Evaluation and Management of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Abstract

With the increasing use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as destination therapy in patients with severe left heart failure, emergency physicians are more likely to encounter patients with LVAD in their emergency department (ED). Emergency physicians should have a basic understanding of LVAD mechanics, a specific approach to LVAD patient evaluation, and awareness of the must-not-miss LVAD therapy complications and their management to optimize outcomes in this patient population.

Keywords: CHF; Congestive heart failure; HVAD; HeartMate; HeartWare; LVAD; Left ventricular assist device; Mechanical circulatory devices.