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Comparative analysis of von Willebrand factor profiles after implantation of left ventricular assist device and total artificial heart
Author(s) -
Reich H. J.,
Morgan J.,
Arabia F.,
Czer L.,
Moriguchi J.,
Ramzy D.,
Esmailian F.,
Lam L.,
Dunhill J.,
Volod O.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1111/jth.13753
Subject(s) - von willebrand factor , von willebrand disease , circulatory system , ventricular assist device , medicine , artificial heart , cardiology , platelet , heart failure
Essentials Bleeding is a major source of morbidity during mechanical circulatory support. von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimer loss may contribute to bleeding. Different patterns of VWF multimer loss were seen with the two device types. This is the first report of total artificial heart associated VWF multimer loss.Summary Background Bleeding remains a challenge during mechanical circulatory support and underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Functional von Willebrand factor ( VWF ) impairment because of loss of high‐molecular‐weight multimers ( MWMs ) produces acquired von Willebrand disease ( VWD ) after left ventricular assist device ( LVAD ). Little is known about VWF multimers with total artificial hearts ( TAH s). Here, VWF profiles with LVAD s and TAH s are compared using a VWD panel. Methods VWD evaluations for patients with LVAD or TAH (2013‐14) were retrospectively analyzed and included: VWF activity (ristocetin cofactor, VWF : RC o), VWF antigen ( VWF :Ag), ratio of VWF : RC o to VWF :Ag, and quantitative VWF multimeric analysis. Results Twelve patients with LVAD s and 12 with TAH s underwent VWD evaluation. All had either normal (47.8%) or elevated (52.2%) VWF : RC o, normal (26.1%) or elevated (73.9%) VWF :Ag and 50.0% were disproportional (ratio ≤ 0.7). Multimeric analysis showed abnormal patterns in all patients with LVAD s: seven with high MWM loss; five with highest MWM loss. With TAH , 10/12 patients had abnormal patterns: all with highest MWM loss. High MWM loss correlated with presence of LVAD and highest MWM loss with TAH . Increased low MWM s were detected in 22/24. Conclusion Using VWF multimeric analysis, abnormalities after LVAD or TAH were detected that would be missed with measurements of VWF level alone: loss of high MWM predominantly in LVAD , loss of highest MWM in TAH , and elevated levels of low MWM in both. This is the first study to describe TAH ‐associated highest MWM loss, which may contribute to bleeding.