Patient selection for left-ventricular assist devices

Abstract

Selection of appropriate candidates is one of the most important determinants of successful outcomes of left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The review describes a step-by-step approach to evaluation of patients with end-stage heart failure for LVAD implantation. This article includes a summary of the recently published guidelines on candidate selection for long-term mechanical circulatory support, current understanding of the optimal timing of device placement in the disease course and the utility of preoperative screening scales to estimate the patient's operative risk. As technology continues to improve and new devices provide greater safety and durability, continued efforts are needed to better define the clinical determinants of successful LVAD outcomes.