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Published on: May 11, 2018
Late inflow or outflow obstruction requiring surgical intervention after HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device
Yuji Kaku1, Yoshifumi Naka1, Lucas Witer1
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Insights
Late obstruction of HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices is rare but critical. Prompt surgical correction of inflow or outflow obstruction after HeartMate 3 implantation leads to favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Devices
Background:
- HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a critical procedure for advanced heart failure.
- Inflow or outflow obstruction represents a rare but serious complication following LVAD implantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, presentation, and outcomes of inflow or outflow obstruction in HeartMate 3 LVAD recipients.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical intervention for these obstructions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 166 patients undergoing primary HeartMate 3 implantation from November 2014 to July 2019.
- Identification of cases with inflow or outflow obstruction.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, diagnostic methods (including computed tomography angiogram), surgical correction, and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Six cases (3 inflow, 3 outflow obstruction) were identified.
- Low flow alarm was the most common presenting sign; most patients were asymptomatic of heart failure.
- Median time to reintervention was 406.5 days; computed tomography angiogram identified the issue in 5/6 cases.
- Surgical correction resolved symptoms in most cases, with all patients alive at a median follow-up of 433.5 days.
Conclusions:
- Late inflow or outflow obstruction is a critical complication of HeartMate 3 LVAD.
- Prompt surgical intervention for HeartMate 3 obstruction is associated with favorable outcomes.
- Continued monitoring and timely intervention are crucial for managing LVAD complications.
Abstract:
Inflow or outflow obstruction is a rare, but critical complication after HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device implantation. We retrospectively reviewed 166 patients who underwent primary HeartMate 3 implantation at our centre between November 2014 and July 2019. Three cases of inflow obstruction and 3 cases of outflow obstruction were identified. Presence of low flow alarm was the most common presenting sign and they were free from heart failure symptoms except in 1 case. They all underwent surgical correction and the median time from primary implantation to reintervention was 406.5 days. Computed tomography angiogram identified a problem in 5 out of 6 cases. Clinical symptoms and/or alarms resolved after surgery, but 1 case developed recurrent low flow alarm due to partial occlusion of inflow by fibrous tissue who eventually underwent heart transplant. All patients remain alive with median follow-up of 433.5 days. Prompt surgical intervention in late inflow and outflow obstruction after HeartMate 3 implantation resulted in favourable outcomes.
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