Hemorrhoids screening and treatment prior to LVAD: is it a necessity?

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2016 Apr 12;11(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13019-016-0441-z.

Abstract

Continuous-flow left ventricle assist devices (CF-LVADs) has become an essential modality in the management of stage D heart failure (HF) with significant improvement in survival and quality of life. Due to the durability of such devices and long term support complications such as bleeding and aortic insufficiency has emerged. Bleeding accounts for more than 20 % with the majority being from the gastrointestinal tract. The increase of bleeding tendency are mainly attributed to the loss of large von Willebrand's Factor (vWF) multimers due to shear stress with the chronic intake of anticoagulants. We are reporting two cases of patients with Stage D HF and history of hemorrhoids presenting for LVAD implantation. Many efforts that decrease bleeding related to CF-LVADs will be discussed with focus on hemorrhoids.

Keywords: Hemorrhoids; LVAD; Screening.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Heart Failure / therapy
  • Heart-Assist Devices / adverse effects*
  • Hemorrhoids / complications
  • Hemorrhoids / diagnosis*
  • Hemorrhoids / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Preoperative Care / methods