Engineering a Brighter Future: The Evolving Role of the Pharmacist in the Era of the HeartMate 3

Abstract

Continuous-flow left-ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) are an option for patients with end-stage heart failure requiring durable mechanical circulatory support. Two of the older-generation CF-LVADs have been associated with multiple device-related complications, including bleeding and thrombosis. The newest generation CF-LVAD, the HeartMate 3, was engineered specifically to prevent device-related thrombosis. As more data enhance our understanding of the burden of bleeding and thrombotic adverse events, patients with durable mechanical circulatory support may require less-aggressive antithrombotic therapy.