Anticoagulation strategy in a patient on the HeartMate III® left ventricular assist device with acquired von Willebrand syndrome and recurring gastrointestinal bleeding episodes: Sometimes less is more

Abstract

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome is a frequently encountered complication of continuous flow ventricular assist devices, which may lead to clinically relevant bleeding in up to 30% of patients after continuous flow ventricular assist device implantation. As standard anticoagulation strategies may be detrimental, individualized treatment is called for, as described in our patient on the HeartMate III® left ventricular assist device.