Sildenafil Reduces Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Pump Thrombosis with Ongoing Low Level Hemolysis During Heart Mate II Support

Low level hemolysis after Heart Mate (HM) II implantation, as evident by an elevated discharge lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level>400 U/L, is linked to subsequent thrombotic events. Free hemoglobin from ongoing hemolysis scavenges nitric oxide (NO) to create a NO deficiency which can augment platelet function. We hypothesized the potentiation of NO signaling during low level hemolysis with a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, may lead to reduced thrombotic events.

Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - March 25, 2017 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: O. Saeed, S. Rangasamy, A. Luke, S.P. Patel, D.B. Sims, J. Shin, M. Reyes Gil, M.J. Slepian, H.H. Billett, D.J. Goldstein, U.P. Jorde Source Type: research