The Hemodynamic Profile of GI Bleeding in Continuous-Flow LVADs: Is it All About the Right Ventricle?

The last decade has seen LVADs emerge as an effective and durable means to support select patients with advanced heart failure. Despite improvements in heart failure morbidity and mortality with mechanical support, device-related complications remain a challenge. While rates of pump thrombosis, driveline infection and stroke have declined with improvements in pump design and patient care strategies, the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding has remained constant.1 GI bleeding remains the leading cause of hospital readmission following device implant, occurring in 30% of patients with continuous-flow LVADs and negatively impacting patient quality of life as a result of prolonged hospitalizations and invasive procedures.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research