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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices
Published on: March 21, 2025
The diagnosis of left ventricular assist device thrombosis
H Z R Gerds1, J Brügemann, M Rienstra
1Thorax Center UMC Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands, h.z.r.gerds-ploeger@umcg.nl.
Abstract:
The clinical course of a patient with a left ventricular assist device is described. A total of 6 weeks after device insertion, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level increased to 2801 U/l despite adding low-molecular-weight heparin to acenocoumarol and aspirin. Pump thrombosis was suspected but unconfirmed by computed tomography. Increased pump power requirement did not occur. Instituting unfractionated heparin caused a drop in the LDH level. After discontinuing heparin, the LDH levels rose to 5529 U/l whereupon pump replacement was performed. LDH levels, combined with clinical deterioration and right heart catheterisation, led to the diagnosis of pump thrombosis.
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