Description

Implantation of LVADs (Left Ventricular Assist Device) is a medium to long-term therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure and isolated left ventricular dysfunction. Nevertheless, LVADs use remain limited by the frequency of their adverse effects, most of which being unpredictable. In the literature, loss of pulsatility seems to be associated with CF-LVADs complications, including bleeding. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study is to determine whether patient's preserved pulsatility is associated with less acquired deficiency of the Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a blood glycoprotein involved in hemostasis. This deficiency, characterized by a decrease or absence of VWF High Molecular Weight Multimers (HMWMs), is present to varying degrees in almost all patients with LVADs and is a major risk factor for bleeding complications in these patients. Pulsatility is estimated by the patient's blood pressure differential, measured 1) at discharge from the operating room (=transfer to care), 2) at discharge from care (=transfer to his or her room), 3) at discharge from the hospital (=transfer to rehabilitation), and then at each follow-up visit up to 6 months post-implantation. The primary endpoint is to determine whether a preserved pulsatility is associated with less acquired deficiency of the Von Willebrand factor ratio of High Molecular Weight Multimers (HMWMs).