The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 2008
Case ReportsOff-pump exchange of short-term percutaneous ventricular assist device (VAD) to long-term implantable VAD in severe coagulopathy and multi-organ failure.
Ventricular support in patients with end-stage heart failure can be achieved using intracorporeal left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) systems. Multiple efforts have been made to minimize procedure-associated complications. We present a case report of an off-pump insertion of a MicroMed DeBakey VAD after Tandem Heart support using a previous sternotomy incision. ⋯ To avoid the need for heparinization in the light of HIT and severe coagulopathy, the LVAD implantation was performed under Tandem Heart support without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient has been anti-coagulated with angiomax ever since. Critically ill patients with end-stage heart disease, multi-organ failure, severe coagulopathy and a previous median sternotomy can be bridged from a Tandem Heart to MicroMed DeBakey VAD without cardiopulmonary bypass using the previous incision, provided there are few adhesions and stable hemodynamic conditions.