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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Left Ventricular Assist Device Salvage with Omental Flap
Luke A Cusimano1, Emily T Wolfe1, Pamela Tan1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.; Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, La.; and Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, La.
Abstract:
A large number of people are affected with heart failure annually and require left ventricular assist device placement as a bridge to heart transplant or as destination therapy. When these devices become infected, it is a challenge to eradicate the infection. Failure ultimately results in a significant morbidity and mortality. Source control along with debridement and antibiotics can eradicate the infection of the patient, but many times there is a large defect that needs soft-tissue coverage. Many options for soft-tissue coverage have been suggested, but omentum may be an excellent choice due to its vascularity, bulk, and immunological properties. In this case report, the omental flap is employed for salvage of the left ventricular assist device with excellent results.
