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The Presence of Air Bubbles in the Aorta of a Patient with a HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Novel Sign of Outflow Graft Obstruction. ASAIO journal Davis, M. K., Ha, R., Banerjee, D. 2014; 60 (5): 600-602

Abstract

Microbubbles formed by cavitation have been frequently reported in patients with mechanical heart valves (MHVs), but have not previously been described in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Obstruction of the LVAD circuit by thrombus, outflow graft kinking, or cannula malposition may cause high pressure gradients and turbulent flow, often resulting in hemolysis. Here, we describe for the first time the presence of microbubbles in the ascending aorta of a patient with severe LVAD-associated hemolysis. We propose that these bubbles were formed by cavitation in the presence of a high pressure gradient due to LVAD outflow graft obstruction, and suggest that this may be a novel imaging sign of LVAD obstruction in patients with continuous-flow LVADs.

View details for DOI 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000102

View details for PubMedID 24814838