Perioperative management of the left ventricular assist device recipient

Abstract

An understanding of the unique preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations of left ventricular assist device implantation is essential for the successful anesthetic management of these challenging cases. This article discusses the different stages of anesthetic care of the left ventricular assist device recipient, including preoperative assessment, lining, induction, separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, and the postbypass period. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.