Revisión: Dispositivos de asistencia ventricular izquierda de larga duración

Abstract

Heart failure is a health problem worldwide. In Spain, prevalence, in accordance with the PRICE Study in the population over 45 years of age, is 6.8%, and in the outpatient clinics 4.7% in accordance with the EPISERVE Study. The mortality rate is 50% at 4 years and it is the fourth cause of death in our country. The use of mechanical circulatory assist devices for treating advanced heart failure has proven to be useful. In Spain, the use thereof has signi€cantly increased. A bibliographic review was made regarding long-term left ventricular assist devices, especially HeartWare®, in order to know the candidate characteristics, the efficacy, the safety of the device and nursing interventions in these patients› care. According to the studies revised, it is concluded that the candidates for implantation are patients with advanced heart failure who become deteriorated while being in the waiting list for heart transplantation, as well as non-eligible for transplantation so as to reduce the risk of premature death. The survival with the left ventricular assist device in the €rst year is 80% and the main adverse events are bleeding, neurological events, driveline infection or sepsis. In these patients› care, the nursing staff focuses their interventions on the education for the management and maintenance of the device and on reducing the stress that the new situation causes to the patient, the family and the caregiver