This book provides the most up to date information on every aspect of clinical care relating to
patients with advanced heart failure who require mechanical circulatory support as a treatment
strategy. The book begins with an extensive description of the preoperative patient selection
process as well as preoperative medical optimization including bridge to bridge strategies
with short-term devices. The book then transitions into a description of a variety of surgical
implantation techniques with special considerations for reoperative surgery. A chapter on
intraoperative anesthesia management is specifically focused on intraoperative issues relating
to MCS patients. Subsequent chapters focus on perioperative management as well as long-term
management of patients on MCS including optimization of a patient's LVAD speed. A dedicated
chapter on the diagnosis of device thrombosis as well as surgical techniques and outcomes
associated with device exchanges is also included. The book also summarizes the national and
international outcomes data for using MCS as a bridge to transplant and destination therapy.
There is also a chapter on the utility of stem cells as an adjunct technique for inducing
myocardial recovery. Finally the book has chapters on complications of MCS management of
right ventricular failure and the future of MCS.
