Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
07:39
Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
3.5K
Anticoagulation of HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device With Apixaban
Emily Cowley1, June Chen1, Hazal Babadagli1
1Department of Pharmacy, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Annals of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports
|January 10, 2025
Summary
A patient with a HeartMate 3 device switched to apixaban due to bleeding complications. This case suggests direct oral anticoagulants may prevent pump thrombosis in patients intolerant to warfarin.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- A 56-year-old man with a history of myocardial infarction required a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device.
- The patient experienced limited recovery on a temporary ventricular assist device and had gastrointestinal bleeding complications.
Observation:
- Antithrombotic therapy was switched from warfarin and aspirin to apixaban 5 mg twice daily due to nonadherence and bleeding.
- Peak anti-factor Xa levels were monitored to assess therapeutic efficacy.
Findings:
- Apixaban was successfully used as an alternative antithrombotic agent in a patient with a HeartMate 3 device.
- Monitoring of anti-factor Xa levels provided insight into the anticoagulant effect of apixaban in this context.
Implications:
- Direct oral anticoagulants, such as apixaban, may be a viable option for preventing pump thrombosis in patients with left ventricular assist devices.
- This approach could benefit patients who cannot tolerate or refuse traditional warfarin therapy.
