Ventricular assist device thrombosis following recovery of left ventricular function

Although ventricular assist devices (VADs) are lifesaving therapy for patients with severe heart failure, complications such as pump thrombosis can occur. In this report, we present a case of VAD thrombosis following recovery of left ventricular (LV) function. The patient had been supported with a VAD for 8 months, and at the time of presentation, echocardiography revealed near normal native systolic function, aortic valve opening with significant native heart ejection, reduced systolic flow in the outflow and inflow cannulae, and no forward flow through the VAD during diastole. The patient underwent successful VAD explant and examination of the pump revealed thrombus on the rotor. We propose that abnormal flow through the VAD seen with recovery of LV function may contribute to VAD thrombosis.