Atrial Septal Defect in a Patient With a Mechanical Mitral Valve Prosthesis Undergoing Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device: To Repair or Not to Repair

THE LEFT ventricular assist device (LVAD) provides mechanical circulatory support for patients with medically refractory heart failure and has been shown to improve outcomes in this population.1 –5 The continuous-flow (CF) LVAD system provides hemodynamic support by unloading the left ventricle (LV) continuously and, to some degree, also unloads the left atrium (LA) as a secondary phenomenon.1,6–9 Furthermore, although LVAD therapy reduces right ventricular afterload, it has been shown to have minimal impact on right atrial (RA) pressure.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Source Type: research