A Case Series of Biventricular Circulatory Support Using Two Ventricular Assist Devices: A Novel Operative Approach

David P Cork; Hao A Tran; Jorge Silva; Denise Barnard; Barry Greenberg; Eric D Adler; Victor Pretorius

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2015.01.079

A Case Series of Biventricular Circulatory Support Using Two Ventricular Assist Devices: A Novel Operative Approach

Ann Thorac Surg. 2015 Oct;100(4):e75-7. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2015.01.079.

Authors

David P Cork¹, Hao A Tran², Jorge Silva², Denise Barnard², Barry Greenberg², Eric D Adler², Victor Pretorius³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. Electronic address: dcork@ucsd.edu.
² Department of Cardiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
³ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.

PMID: 26434483
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2015.01.079

Abstract

Increased use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to treat advanced heart failure has heightened concern for right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Biventricular support is required in up to 30% of LVAD recipients. Currently, no durable long-term right ventricular assist device (RVAD) has been approved other than the Syncardia (Tucson, AZ) total artificial heart. A recent publication reported the placement of continuous flow LVAD in the heavily trabeculated right ventricle; however, this orientation may jeopardize both assist device and right ventricle function. We describe three cases of right-sided mechanical circulatory support with durable RVAD implanted in the right atrium, allowing long-term support with fewer anatomic limitations as compared with right ventricular cannulation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Heart Failure / therapy*
Heart-Assist Devices*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
Young Adult