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Pharmacotherapy for mechanical circulatory support: a comprehensive review
Christopher R Ensor1, Christopher A Paciullo, William D Cahoon
1School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA. censor1@jhmi.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|January 6, 2011
Summary
Pharmacotherapy is crucial for patients with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices for end-stage heart failure. Pharmacists play a key role in optimizing drug therapy and patient outcomes with these advanced heart failure treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices represent a significant advancement in managing end-stage heart failure.
- These devices improve survival and quality of life, acting as a bridge to cardiac transplantation or destination therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pharmacotherapy for patients receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS).
- To provide guidance on drug selection, assessment, and optimization for MCS patients.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases (1960-2010).
- Inclusion of original studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, and reviews.
- Examination of references from pertinent articles for additional relevant content.
Main Results:
- MCS technology has evolved, transforming end-stage heart failure management and cardiac transplantation.
- MCS devices enhance bridge-to-transplant rates, survival, and quality of life.
- Pharmacotherapy can optimize MCS device performance, improve patient outcomes, and minimize adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacists are essential for the assessment and optimization of MCS patients.
- Individualized pharmacotherapeutic management is required, considering device and patient characteristics.
- Collaboration between pharmacists and the clinical team is vital for successful MCS patient care.
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