Abstract
In contrast to a pulsatile-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), an LVAD off test for evaluation of cardiac recovery with a continuous-flow device is difficult because of intra-circuit backflow from the outflow graft when a device is stopped. We report a case of reliable evaluation of cardiac recovery using balloon occlusion of the outflow graft, followed by successful removal of a continuous-flow EVAHEART LVAD using a minimally invasive approach.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kato TS, Chokshi A, Singh P, Khawaja T, Cheema F, Akashi H, et al. Effects of continuous-flow versus pulsatile-flow left ventricular assist devices on myocardial unloading and remodeling. Circ Heart Fail. 2011;4(5):546–53.
Yoshioka D, Toda K, Sakaguchi T, Miyagawa S, Nishi H, Yoshikawa Y, Fukushima S, et al. Initial report of bridge to recovery in a patient with DuraHeart LVAD. J Artif Organs. 2013;16(3):386–8.
Ando M, Nishimura T, Takewa Y, Ogawa D, Yamazaki K, Kashiwa K, et al. What is the ideal off-test trial for continuous-flow ventricular-assist-device explantation? Intracircuit back-flow analysis in a mock circulation model. J Artif Organs. 2011;14:70–3.
Potapov EV, Schweiger M, Krabatsch T. Percutaneous balloon occlusion of a left ventricular assist device outflow cannula to facilitate evaluation of myocardial recovery. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2011;30(11):1300–1.
Haj-Yahia S, Birks EJ, Dreyfus G, Khaghani A. Limited surgical approach for explanting the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device after myocardial recovery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008;135:453–4.
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kashiyama, N., Toda, K., Miyagawa, S. et al. Initial experience of EVAHEART explantation after continuous-flow LVAD off test with percutaneous occlusion balloon. J Artif Organs 17, 366–369 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-014-0784-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-014-0784-y