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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
06:10
Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Colonic perforation from left ventricular assist device: a rare complication.
Sara C Herman1, Jochen D Muehlschlegel, Gregory S Couper
1Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. scherman@partners.org
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|June 23, 2010
Summary
A rare complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy occurred when a patient developed sepsis from gastrointestinal perforation. This case highlights the risk of viscus perforation, even with protective measures like Gore-Tex wraps.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Idiopathic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy necessitates left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for patients awaiting cardiac transplantation.
- Postoperative recovery can be complex, with infectious complications being a known risk following LVAD procedures.
Observation:
- A patient, previously stable after LVAD implantation, presented with symptoms suggestive of a low-grade LVAD-related infection.
- Diagnostic work-up for sepsis indicated a possible perforated viscus, prompting further investigation.
Findings:
- Exploratory laparotomy confirmed a perforated transverse colon with significant spillage of intestinal contents.
- This represents a rare instance of gastrointestinal perforation and subsequent sepsis directly linked to LVAD erosion, occurring despite the use of a Gore-Tex wrap.
Implications:
- This case underscores a rare but serious gastrointestinal complication associated with LVAD therapy.
- It emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding potential LVAD erosion into adjacent organs, even with preventative surgical techniques.
- Further research may be warranted to understand and mitigate this specific risk in LVAD patients.
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