Considerations on afterload management for patients with centrifugal ventricular assist devices.

This case report illustrates the challenges in managing patients with centrifugal ventricular assist devices (VADs). As these devices have evolved, their physical properties have changed, impacting patient management. Levitated centrifugal pumps have a non-linear response to afterloads. The device output will decrease significantly in the presence of high systemic vascular resistance. Blood pressure control is integral to the management of patients in the immediate and later postoperative period.