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Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Use of Hemodynamic Ramp Study to Optimize Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Device in a Fontan Patient
Peter Chau1, Heang M Lim, Kurt R Schumacher
1From the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, CS Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract:
The utility of hemodynamic ramp studies in single ventricle patients supported by continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) is largely unknown. We report the novel use of the hemodynamic ramp test to optimize a 26 year-old Fontan-palliated single-ventricle patient supported with a continuous-flow ventricular assist device (Heartware HVAD). Modest improvements in Fontan hemodynamics resulted in significant and persistent clinical improvement and symptomatic relief.
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