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Aortic Root Thrombus Directly After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Constantin Mork1, Otmar Pfister2, Luca Koechlin1
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
CJC Open
|December 10, 2021
Summary
A heart failure patient requiring mechanical support successfully underwent aortic root thrombus removal. This surgical intervention proved feasible even for frail patients with left ventricular assist devices.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- A 70-year-old female patient with heart failure after myocardial infarction required mechanical circulatory support.
- The patient was transitioned from temporary Impella CP support to a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Observation:
- Early postoperative thrombus formation in the aortic root was detected after LVAD implantation.
- The patient developed a thrombus despite an otherwise uneventful surgical procedure.
Findings:
- Surgical thrombectomy using extracorporeal circulation was successfully performed on postoperative day 7.
- The patient demonstrated a good recovery with no neurological deficits at 6-month follow-up.
Implications:
- Surgical excision of aortic root thrombus is a viable treatment option for LVAD patients.
- This approach can be safely applied even in frail patient populations requiring advanced heart failure support.
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