Significance of various anticoagulation therapies during use of a left ventricular assist device.

A multicomparative study to establish adequate anticoagulation therapy for left ventricular assist devices was undertaken by administrating various anticoagulants: heparin, a prostacyclin analogue combined with a protease inhibitor; thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor; or a protease inhibitor alone. Our investigation suggested that combined administration of prostacyclin analogue and protease inhibitor (FUT-175) is ideal anticoagulation therapy from the point of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Currently, however, sole administration of FUT-175 is adequate anticoagulation therapy during clinical use of left ventricular assist devices.