HeartWare left ventricular assist device thrombosis in aspirin non-responder

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2014 Feb;22(2):203-4. doi: 10.1177/0218492312467993. Epub 2013 Jul 11.

Abstract

Patient characteristics that increase the risk of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device thrombosis have not been well established. We report a case of HeartWare thrombosis in a patient with aspirin hyporesponsiveness, and discuss the role of platelet function testing in preventing this severe complication. There is a need for clinical trials determining optimal antiplatelet therapy in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices, and consensus regarding modification of antiplatelet therapy after device thrombosis.

Keywords: Aspirin; drug resistance; heart-assist devices; platelet aggregation; thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / physiopathology
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / therapy*
  • Clopidogrel
  • Drug Resistance*
  • Drug Substitution
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • International Normalized Ratio
  • Male
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Thrombolytic Therapy
  • Thrombosis / blood
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Ticlopidine / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Function, Left*

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine
  • Aspirin