Authors

• Kristina Pavlović — Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Zagreb, Hrvatska — ORCID: 0000-0002-2185-6954
• Milka Grubišić — Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Zagreb, Hrvatska — ORCID: 0000-0003-2092-5396
• Dragana Jurčić — Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Zagreb, Hrvatska — ORCID: 0000-0003-2926-1258

Keywords

mechanical circulatory support, postoperative complications

DOI

Full Text

Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) is an increasingly common form of heart failure (HF) treatment as the number of people with HF growing, and the fact that the number of heart donors is limited and unpredictable. ( 1 ) Also, a large number of patients with HF do not meet the strictly defined criteria for transplantation. The goal of mechanical circulatory support is to relieve the heart volume in failure and achieve satisfactory blood flow to peripheral organ systems. Here, we will present the most common postoperative complications of patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support. Some of the most common complications include the thrombosis of the supporting circulatory device, stroke, bleeding, and infection of the driveline of the device. Mechanical support devices carry certain risks and complications. Complications are unavoidable in patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support, and although they cannot be completely removed, they can be significantly reduced through continuous education. The prevalence of complications increases as the use of the devices themselves expands, from short-term support to increasingly destination therapy or bridge to transplantation. Nurses play an important role within the multidisciplinary team, especially in preparing patients for mechanical pump implantation, postoperative health care, prevention of possible complications, and patient education. Quality health care can prevent the occurrence of complications of treatment, and in the case of their development contribute to reducing the consequences.