Management of Substance Use Disorders in a Patient With Left Ventricular Assist Device

We present a case of common challenges in assessment and treatment of substance use disorders in patients with advanced heart failure requiring left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Top experts in the field of consultation-liaison psychiatry, cardiology, and cardiac surgery provide guidance for this commonly encountered clinical case based on their experience and review of the available literature. Key teaching topics include the role of LVAD in heart failure management, the impact of substance use disorder on heart failure and LVAD patient outcomes, and recommendations for assessment and management of substance use disorder in a patient with LVAD. Specifically, we highlight the challenges of assessing for substance use disorder in LVAD candidates and the limited literature available to guide treatment in this challenging patient population.