Percutaneous gastrojejunostomy placement in a heart failure patient with biventricular assist devices

Heart failure patients who require a ventricular assist device often present a nutrition challenge. A 39-year-old woman suffering from an acute ST elevated myocardial infarction and severe cardiogenic shock underwent implant of left and right ventricular assist devices (BiVAD). Neurologic deficits prevented her from safely resuming oral intake, and long-term feeding access was required. The decision was made to insert a percutaneous gastrojejunostomy under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients implanted with ventricular assist devices may require enteral nutrition support. Placement of feeding access other than through the nasoenteric route can be rendered more challenging because of anatomical constraints related to BiVAD positioning; however, whenever enteral nutrition support is required for extended periods, percutaneous or ostomy access offers easier delivery of nutrition. Although technically difficult, successful placement of the enteral feeding tube allowed for continuous 24-hour feeds to optimize nutrition intake. This is the first time that a percutaneous enteral feeding access was obtained for a ventricular assist device patient at the authors' institution, and it has proven valuable in providing long-term nutrition in a safe and efficient manner.