Medical Management of Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device for the Non-Left Ventricular Assist Device Specialist

Abstract

More than 2,400 continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are implanted each year in the United States alone. Both the number of patients living with LVADs and the life expectancy of these patients are increasing. As a result, patients with LVADs are increasingly encountered by non-LVAD specialists who do not have training in managing advanced heart failure for general medical care, cardiovascular procedures, and other subspecialty care. An understanding of the initial evaluation and management of patients with LVADs is now an essential skill for many health care providers. In this State-of-the-Art Review, we discuss current LVAD technology, summarize our clinical experience with LVADs, and review the current data for the medical management of patients living with LVADs.