Implantable Ventricular Assist Device Exchange With Focused Intravascular Deairing Techniques ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY Woo, Y. J., Acker, M. A. 2011; 91 (1): 306-307

Abstract

As ventricular assist devices are increasingly adopted and widely implemented as a highly effective therapy for end-stage heart disease, extended utilization periods for destination therapy or bridge-to-transplantation have created the possibility of device failure, infection, or thrombosis, requiring challenging implant exchanges. A major problem in these operations is the risk of air embolization, particularly in a nonsternotomy approach that precludes access to the outflow aortic graft and to the ascending aorta. We report a minimally invasive, nonsternotomy HeartMate II implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) exchange, using peripheral cardiopulmonary support and a novel approach to continuous intravascular ascending aortic air removal.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2010.04.012

View details for Web of Science ID 000285411700063

View details for PubMedID 21172546