288: Improved Clinical Outcomes Using Bi-Ventricular Assist Devices as Bridges to Transplant in Critically Ill Patients

patients at the time of 1 implant in the entire group. One patient was re-explored for bleeding, one patient developed acute renal dysfunction, one patient suffered stroke from air embolism and one who developed a major infection in the LVAD exchange group. The latter complications were documented in 3.7%, 20.3%, 11% and 12.9% of patients after the 1st LVAD implant procedure, respectively. Conclusions: Careful patient selection and meticulous preparation for LVAD exchange at the time of initial LVAD implant in patients chosen for destination therapy can improve the surgical outcomes.