[Biventricular heart assist using centrifugal pump and roller pump in profound ventricular failure after open heart...

A forty-seven-year-old female with profound biventricular heart failure probably caused by coronary artery spasm after open mitral commissurotomy was successfully survived by mechanical circulatory support. Centrifugal and roller pumps were applied to left and right side circulatory assist respectively. Recovery of cardiac function was evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography and hemodynamic parameters during intentional low flow assist. Finally, she was weaned from assist after 136 hours. No systemic thromboembolism was recognized after pump removal. Combination of centrifugal and roller pumps could be applicable to biventricular heart assist without crucial complication.