The following are 10 points to remember about left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as a rapidly evolving alternative to Transplant: With a persistent donor shortage and an increasing number of patients with Stage D heart failure, LVADs have been used as bridge to heart transplant for those who qualify for transplant (bridge to transplant) or as a substitute in those who do not (destination therapy). Despite ongoing measures to increase access to donor organs, organ availability remains a major limitation to heart transplant.
The current strategy for the management of refractory Stage D heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients is to initially screen for heart transplant, with destination therapy VADs considered as secondary treatment for those who do not qualify. The current algorithm for screening patients for advanced HF therapies may need to be revisited, with…
