Heart Assist System Implantation Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have VAD implantation, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Device failure
• Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
• Kidney, lung, or heart damage

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include having:

• A serious infectious disease
• Advanced disease of vital organs other than the heart
• Blood clotting disorder

Also, if you have a small stature, you may not be able to get a VAD. The device is bulky. Newer generation continuous flow devices, which are much smaller, are being studied.

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
• Increasing pain
• One-sided weakness, blurry vision, or inability to talk
• A cold, pale or blue, numb, or painful extremity
• Cough, difficulty breathing, or chest pain
• Nausea, vomiting
• Problems with urination or bowel movements
• Redness or swelling in legs.
• Warning indications from the device

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.