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Published on: March 21, 2025
Left ventricular assist device for ventricular recovery of anabolic steroid-induced cardiomyopathy
Jessica G Y Luc1,2, Holger Buchholz1,2, Daniel H Kim2,3
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract:
Herein we report a case of a 26-year-old gentleman with severe cardiomyopathy likely secondary to anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse who received a HeartMate II (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for rapidly deteriorating heart failure with hemodynamic compromise. Following 18 months on LVAD support, excellent recovery of ventricular function was achieved to allow for LVAD discontinuation. Given that active substance abuse is a contraindication to heart transplantation, few options remain for patients with AAS induced heart failure. Our case demonstrates that LVAD therapy can be an important intervention for bridging to candidacy, recovery or destination therapy.
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