Continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation in patients with preexisting mechanical mitral valves: a systematic review

Introduction: A preexisting mechanical mitral valve (MMV) is thought to be a thrombogenic risk factor after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation. We sought to evaluate the management and outcomes of preexisting MMVs in patients following CF-LVAD implantation.Areas covered: An electronic search was performed to identify the presence of an MMV at the time of CF-LVAD implantation. Of the 1,168 studies identified,...