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Updated: May 24, 2026

Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
6 months of "temporary" support by Levitronix left ventricular assist device
Alessandro Barbone1, Pietro Giorgio Malvindi, Robert A Sorabella
1UO di Cardiochirurgia, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. alessandro.barbone@humanitas.it
Abstract:
An otherwise healthy 47-year-old man presented to the emergency department in cardiogenic shock after suffering a massive myocardial infarction due to left main occlusion. He was initially supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and subsequently was converted to paracorporeal support with a Levitronix left ventricular assist device. He experienced multiple postoperative complications including renal failure, respiratory failure, retroperitoneal hematoma requiring suspension of anticoagulation, and fungal bloodstream infection precluding transition to an implantable device. He was reconditioned and successfully underwent orthotopic heart transplant 183 days after presentation. A discussion of the relevant issues is included.
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