Low Thromboembolism and Pump Thrombosis With the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device: Analysis of Outpatient Anti-coagulation

The rate of thromboembolism during long-term outpatient support with the HeartMate II is low. The low number of thrombotic events appears to be offset by a greater number of hemorrhagic events. An appropriate target INR is 1.5 to 2.5 in addition to aspirin therapy. In patients having recurrent episodes of bleeding, the risk of lowering the target INR appears to be small.