Natural Antibodies and Left Ventricular Assist Device Complications

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are widely used as a support strategy for advanced heart failure. Complications such as thrombosis and bleeding have been linked to LVAD. We observed that LVAD implantation was followed by a sharp increase in serum levels of IgG natural antibodies (Nabs) recognizing oxidation-specific epitopes (OSE) and apoptotic cells. Nabs have been implicated in inflammatory reactions related to atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke and primary graft dysfunction following heart transplantation.
Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Tags: (1211) Source Type: research