Complications of VAD Therapy: Bleeding/Thrombosis - HTN/CVA

LVADs are increasingly conceptualized as conventional therapies in end-stage organ dysfunction, however, this therapy carries significant risks, burdens and high mortality. Currently 5,000 to 6,000* patients are treated annually with LVADs; as a BTT, BTD or DT. At 1 year, approx. 10% patients have a stroke, 20% have a serious device-related infection, 30% have major bleeding, greater than 50% are re-hospitalized, and 20% die. Patients with LVADs are likely to develop complications requiring hospitalizations. Nurses need to understand why these patients are at risk for complications and how to manage them. This session will review potential complications of LVADs and how to minimize patient risk.