LVAD-patiënten op de intensive care: richtlijnen voor monitoring en acute zorg

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used for advanced heart failure patients. Meanwhile, ongoing improvements in durability have enhanced long-term device performance. Intensivists play a pivotal role in managing LVAD patients who present with common intensive care unit (ICU) conditions. Dynamic interactions between LVAD function and underlying pathophysiology produce heterogeneous clinical presentations and require tailored management. Knowledge gaps among intensivists may exist regarding how to effectively integrate LVAD considerations into ICU patient management. This narrative review outlines fundamental LVAD principles, highlights best practices for monitoring and management, and discusses common ICU pathophysiologic states among LVAD patients.