Early left ventricular assist device-related strokes: Turn up the flow, turn down the embolism?

Despite technical and surgical advances in continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), stroke remains a major complication. In the eighth annual Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support report,1 stroke dominates as the major cause of death between 6  months and 4 years of device support. Previously identified risk factors for stroke in LVAD patients include pump thrombosis, infection, blood pressure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and excessive antithrombotic treatment.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research