Ventricular Assist Devices in the ICU

Since 2001, ventricular assist devices (VADs), total artificial hearts, and a growing number of devices have become increasingly more commonplace options to heart failure management and viable alternatives to heart transplantation. Cardiothoracic step-down and intensive care units will likely be managing more and more patients on mechanical circulation in the future. This review will briefly give an introduction to VAD function, types of VADs, the characteristics of VAD patients, and management issues in the ICU that may arise with these patients.