Abstract

OSORIO-RICO, Sebastián  and  GALLEGO-MUNOZ, Catalina. Approach to patients with left ventricular assist device and its complications at the emergency department. Rev. Colomb. Cardiol. [online]. 2023, vol.30, n.6, pp.372-383.  Epub Jan 04, 2024. ISSN 0120-5633.  https://doi.org/10.24875/rccar.23000002.

Advanced heart failure is becoming more frequent and, in this population, left ventricular assist devices have emerged in the last thirty years as bridge-to-transplant or destination therapy for those with a contraindication for transplant. These devices are continuous flow, contrary to normal hemodynamic physiology, which leads to associated complications with the interaction between the device and the patient, a phenomenon known as “haemocompatibility”. One of its implications is the absence of a central pulse and the need to measure blood pressure through infrequent methods such as Doppler. Various complications are frequently associated with this and can be grouped under the mnemonic A2B2C2D2, including those specific and related to the device. Each of these must be recognized for early and prompt diagnosis and treatment , including prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if indicated, to impact the survival of these patients.

Keywords : Ventricular assist device; Heart failure; Complications; Pump; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

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