This is Your Brain on LVAD

The utilization and duration of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support has increased steadily over the last decade and recent changes in the UNOS heart allocation system, implemented in October 2018, portend a further increase in the duration of mechanical circulatory support for many patients (1). Though four-year survival rates have improved to 60% following LVAD implantation, the leading cause of death in these patients is neurological injury, specifically ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage or intraparenchymal hemorrhage [IPH]) (2).
Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research