Table 1.

The role of antithrombotic therapy on percutaneous left ventricular assist devices

The role of antithrombotic therapy in p-LVAD
Prevent fibrin deposition and clotting activation on foreign-body surfaces.
Prevent platelet adherence and aggregation to foreign-body surfaces (localized intravascular coagulation).
Prevent device failure/dysfunction.
Minimize shear stress-induced haemolysis of the device or Impella™—purge failure.
Prevent stent and catheter thrombosis during/after (acute) PCI.
Counterbalance the procoagulant state of the critically ill patient (sepsis, venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, …).