The Moving Target of LVAD Anticoagulation

Key Points

• The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of various anticoagulation strategies in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).
• Randomized trial involving LVAD patients
• Assessment of different anticoagulation protocols
• Analysis of thromboembolic events and bleeding complications
• Anticoagulation strategies differed in thromboembolic event rates across protocols (P=0.02 for differences).
• Certain strategies significantly reduced device-related thrombosis (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58-0.97, p=0.03).
• Increased bleeding complications were noted with high anticoagulation intensity (RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.8, p=0.001).