Abstract
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve survival in select advanced heart failure patients and rates of LVAD implantation are growing. LVAD support carries significant morbidity and mortality with the greatest risk in the perioperative period. Strategies have evolved to minimize this risk. Medical and mechanical support is used for right and left ventricular optimization. Other strategies emphasize improving nutrition, hematologic abnormalities, infection risk, and renal function. Intraoperative approaches highlight anesthesia-related issues, management of concomitant valve disease, right ventricular failure, and weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative efforts concentrate on augmenting right ventricular function, supporting end-organ recovery, and quickly identifying complications.
