Successful repair of an outflow graft twisting of Heartmate II left ventricular assist device: a case report

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2022 Sep 2;62(4):ezac332. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezac332.

Abstract

An outflow graft obstruction impairing the blood flow is a complication of a left ventricular assist device therapy due to thrombosis as the most common cause. We describe a rare case of a patient who presented with a new low-flow alarm after 7 years of uneventful left ventricular assist device support with Heartmate II device. Computed tomography and surgical exploration revealed an obstruction caused by a twist of the outflow graft. A successful surgical repair without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass could be performed and resulted in immediate relief of symptoms.

Keywords: Complication; Heartmate II; Left ventricular assist device; Outflow graft; Twist.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Heart Failure* / complications
  • Heart Failure* / surgery
  • Heart-Assist Devices* / adverse effects
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Thrombosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis* / etiology
  • Thrombosis* / surgery