Trends in HeartMate 3: What we know so far

The HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a novel, intrapericardial, centrifugal-flow pump with a fully magnetically-levitated rotor designed to provide hemodynamic support in patients with end-stage heart failure. Unique aspects of this LVAD have allowed for improved hemocompatibility and the development of minimally-invasive implantation techniques.

The PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for publications relating to the HeartMate 3 device, with a focus on hemocompatibility related outcomes, anticoagulation management, and surgical techniques.

Nine articles analyzing hemocompatibility related outcomes from two clinical trials, two clinical studies, and one registry series were identified.

HeartMate 3 has reduced the rate of disabling stroke and pump thrombosis. However, despite increased hemocompatibility due to specialized design features, the residual risk of both surgical, and gastrointestinal bleeding remains a major adverse outcome. Different anticoagulation management and surgical techniques have been evaluated to address the remaining complications.