USE OF A DACRON CUFF TO DECREASE BLEEDING FROM ATRIAL CANNULAS OF VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES

The use of ventricular assist devices is becoming more common for post cardiotomy cardiogenic shock and as a mechanical bridge to transplanta tion. Bleeding is the most common complication reported in most clinic al series. The sources of bleeding are multiple, but our experience is that a substantial percentage occurred from cannulation sites. We pre sent a technique that we believe decreases the incidence of bleeding f rom atrial cannulation sites of such devices.