Pilot investigation of a novel testing strategy for bleeding in ventricular assist device recipients.

Purpose: A universal loss of von Willebrand factor (vWF) high-molecular-weight multimers (HMWM) has been demonstrated in continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (HeartMate II) recipients. However, no reliable clinical or laboratory predictors for an increased bleeding tendency in this patient population have been identified. This study evaluated the ability of a new automated latex particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric vWF activity assay (ALPEIVA) to predict non-surgical bleeding risk in HeartMate II recipients.

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome in continuous-flow ventricular assist device recipients.

Background: Bleeding is a major cause of morbidity in recipients of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). A better understanding of the impact of CF-LVAD support on the hemostatic profile is necessary to establish better strategies for anticoagulation therapy and risk assessment for bleeding complications. A prospective multicenter study was conducted to characterize von Willebrand factor (vWF) profiles in patients undergoing CF-LVAD implantation.

Comparative analysis of von Willebrand factor profiles in pulsatile and continuous left ventricular assist device recipients.

A higher rate of nonsurgical bleeding has been observed in nonpulsatile left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients. von Willebrand factor (vWF) profiles were compared for nonpulsatile and pulsatile LVAD recipients to explore mechanisms that may contribute to the development of postimplant nonsurgical bleeding. The nonpulsatile mechanism may impair vWF function by creating a deficiency in vWF high molecular weight multimers (HMWMs), essential for hemostasis.

Pulmonary function tests do not predict pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Background: Pulmonary function tests predict respiratory complications and mortality after lung resection through thoracotomy. We sought to determine the impact of pulmonary function tests upon complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Methods: A model for morbidity, including published preoperative risk factors and surgical approach, was developed by multivariable logistic regression.