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Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Hemolysis and Pulmonary Insufficiency following Right Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Sarah A Schubert1, Behzad Soleimani, Walter E Pae
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Abstract:
We report a case of severe hemolysis and pulmonary valve insufficiency (PI) following right ventricular support using a paracorporeal pneumatic pump (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA). We speculate that the high velocity jet of blood emanating from the outflow cannula caused turbulence above the pulmonary valve, leading to PI and hemolysis. Despite the growing number of implanted ventricular assist devices, we could find no report in the literature describing pulmonary valve insufficiency secondary to right ventricular assist device (RVAD) placement. Fortunately, in this case, right ventricular function recovered sufficiently after seven days of support, allowing explantation of the device and resolution of PI and hemolysis.
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