“…However, the Risk Assessment and Comparative Effectiveness of Left Ventricular Assist Device and Medical Management (ROADMAP) study, a prospective, multicenter study investigating the benefits of HeartMate II LVAD implantation in less-advanced HF patients with INTERMACS levels 4-7, showed higher incidence of adverse events, including bleeding, stroke, hospitalization, pump thrombosis, and driveline infection, in the LVAD arm versus the medical arm. 24 In the same study, the mortality rate was similar in both LVAD and medical arms, despite improved functional capacity and quality of life found in the LVAD arm at 1 year. 24 Due to these results, the decision has to be made between LVAD implantation at a later time at a lower INTERMACS level with the risk of rapidly worsening heart failure or earlier LVAD implantation at a higher INTERMACS level with the benefit of improved functional capacity and quality of life but with the associated risk of adverse events related to LVAD therapy.…”