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Unexpected Abrupt Increase in Left Ventricular Assist Device Thrombosis
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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Source Name: New England Journal of Medicine
The incidence of device thrombosis in HeartMate II VAD devices in 3 centers was investigated. 895 devices were implanted 2004-present. The incidence of device thrombosis increased from 2.2% in the earlier period to 8.4% in the past 2 years. During the same interval the time to thrombosis decreased from 18.6 mos to 2.7 mos. Elevated LDH levels presaged thrombosis. In patients who did not undergo device replacement or transplant after thrombosis, the mortality at 6 mos was 48%.