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Electrostatic Discharge Causing Pump Shutdown in HeartMate 3
Emil Najjar1,2, Ann Hallberg Kristensen2, Tonje Thorvaldsen1,2
1Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve symptoms and outcomes in advanced heart failure. Although device malfunction has decreased significantly with later generation LVADs, it has not been eliminated. We describe the clinical course of a patient with HeartMate 3 LVAD who experienced device malfunction, involving temporary pump shutdown suspected to be caused by electrostatic discharge. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
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