Left ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation: a case study.

Stanford University Medical Center has successfully utilized a left ventricular assist device as bridge support for 9 days in a 52-year-old man awaiting heart transplantation. During this time he developed a pericardial tamponade, but no other serious medical complications occurred. Major nursing care issues focused on pain control, vigorous pulmonary toilet, and left ventricular assist device timing. This article outlines the responsibilities of critical care nurses and what was learned from the experience. The recipient was discharged home 106 days after heart transplantation.