What are the risks associated with lvads?

The risks of surgery for LVAD, or left ventricular assist device, are mainly, infection and bleeding. Hiroo Takayama, MD, PhD, to learn why the right side of the heart needs special attention with this procedure.

Transcript

00:00

One of the unique complications or issues after LVAD surgery is to take care of the right side of the heart, because the LVAD will

00:09

support only the left side of the heart. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:18

The LVAD surgery, again, is becoming safer and safer. We learned many things in the last five years, especially

00:26

the patient selection as well as how to take care of the complications related

00:32

to this technology. At the time, the surgery, LVAD surgery, shares the same risks of open heart surgery,

00:42

such as infection. One of the unique complications or issues after LVAD surgery

00:51

is to take care of the right side of the heart, because the LVAD will support only the left side of the heart.

00:59

The right side of the heart has to work on its own. Special attention and care has to be

01:05

provided to appropriately manage the right side of the heart. In the long run, again, this technology

01:14

has been proven to result in better survival and better quality of life.

01:22

However, in the last several years, we have learned this new technology might

01:28

result in unique complications. These include bleeding tendency and infection