Mechanical support for intraventricular decompression in repair of left ventricular disruption

Posterior disruption of the left ventricle is a difficult injury to repair and is associated with a high intraoperative mortality. We report a case of posterior disruption that occurred during a mitral valve operation. A conventional approach to repair failed after sutures tore through the myocardium. Intraventricular decompression to reduce ventricular wall tension and allow for successful suture repair of the injury was accomplished by insertion of a BioMedicus left ventricular assist device.