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Semin Thromb Hemost 2018; 44(01): 030-037
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1607982
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Management of Hemostasis for Pediatric Patients on Ventricular-Assist Devices

Iki Adachi
1   Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Vadim Kostousov
2   Division of Transfusion Medicine & Coagulation, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Lisa Hensch
2   Division of Transfusion Medicine & Coagulation, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Martin A. Chacon-Portillo
1   Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Jun Teruya
2   Division of Transfusion Medicine & Coagulation, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
3   Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
4   Department of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 November 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Ventricular-assist devices (VADs) have seen increased utilization in the pediatric population. Formerly, this therapeutic modality was limited to only the pulsatile VAD, EXCOR (Berlin Heart GmbH). However, the continuous flow VAD devices, HeartMate II (Abbott Inc.) and HeartWare (Medtronic Inc.), are now increasingly used in this population. Postoperatively, VAD patients are acutely anticoagulated using unfractionated heparin, often beginning 24 to 48 hours after VAD placement. Once the patient is stabilized and ready to transition to a lower acuity or outpatient setting, low-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin therapy may be instituted. Also, because of the risk for thrombotic and thromboembolic complications, antiplatelet strategies are employed using medications such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or dipyridamole. Platelet-rich plasma or whole blood platelet aggregation studies, platelet function analyzer-100 (Siemens), VerifyNow (Accriva Diagnostics), or thromboelastography platelet mapping (Haemonetics) may be used to help monitor antiplatelet effects, though the interpretation of the strength of the antiplatelet effect remains difficult. Care must be taken to monitor the hematologic complications of VAD, including acquired von Willebrand syndrome, which increases the risk for bleeding, and intravascular hemolysis, which increases the risk of thrombosis. Appropriate device placement and anticoagulation management are imperative to help avoid neurological dysfunction and ischemic stroke, the most devastating potential complications of VAD therapy. As our experience grows, we continue to gain an increased understanding of the management of anticoagulation, need for antiplatelet medication, and appropriate monitoring for these critical patients.

Keywords

ventricular-assist device - acquired von Willebrand syndrome - antiplatelet - monitoring - anticoagulant - hemolysis
 

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