Nonsternotomy Approaches for Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement

Abstract

Minimally invasive and alternative surgical techniques for long-term contemporary left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) placement are feasible, and we believe such strategies allow the development of novel and less traumatic surgical options for advanced heart failure patients undergoing continuous-flow (CF) LVAD implantation. These approaches also promise the possibility of increasing the number of high-risk surgical patients who could benefit from CFLVAD therapies. This manuscript presents details a variety of surgical strategies using less invasive and alternative strategies for long-term LVAD implants.