Ventricular Assist Devices Insertion, Overview and Anesthetic Considerations

Ventricular assist devices (VAD) represent a revolution for the management of severe heart failure. Their insertion requires the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. They are used either permanently for long term treatment of refractory heart failure or temporally as a bridge until cardiac transplantation and until cardiac recovery from reversible cardiomyopathy. Insertion of VAD is a risky surgery with high incidence of complication such as bleeding, cardiac tamponade, renal failure and device failure. Anesthetic management of patients with heart failure undergoing VAD insertion requires full review of the patient critical condition, understanding VAD physiology, extensive hemodynamic monitoring and a harmony between cardiac anesthesia and surgical teams. Marinating and protection the right ventricular function is highly important for the continuation of VAD function. The aim of this review is to put new insights on anesthetic management of VAD insertion and to show their different types and their physiology.