[Successful post-left ventricular aneurysmectomy left ventricular assist with a centrifugal pump]

A 71-year-old male with a left ventricular aneurysm underwent aneurysmectomy. The patient could be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass with high-doses of dopamine and dobutamine, followed by immediate left ventricular failure and systemic hypotension. IABP could not be applied to the patient because of the kinked bilateral common iliac arteries. In this condition a centrifugal pump system was connected between left atrium and ascending aorta. With a pump flow of 2 L/min the patient returned to an intensive care unit. After 48 hours of left heart bypass with minimal anticoagulation with systemic heparinization the device could be removed. The patient recovered without any complications, such as thromboembolism, renal failure or mediastinitis. He discharged in fair condition 3 months after the operation.