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Updated: Sep 26, 2025
12:17
Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
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Aortic root thrombus causing non-ST elevation myocardial infarction after left ventricular assist device.
Akhil S Kallur1, Fred Bien-Aime1, Tariq Sallam1
1Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C., USA.
Perfusion
|April 20, 2022
Summary
A rare aortic root thrombus (AT) complication occurred in a patient with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This case highlights the need for multidisciplinary management of such rare thromboembolic events in LVAD patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are crucial for managing advanced heart failure.
- Patients with LVADs require anticoagulation to prevent thrombotic complications.
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a common indication for LVAD implantation.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old male with a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy and LVAD presented with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.
- Despite warfarin therapy, the patient had a subtherapeutic INR of 1.6.
- Left heart catheterization revealed an extensive aortic root thrombus (AT).
Findings:
- Aortic root thrombus (AT) is an uncommon cause of thromboembolic events in long-term LVAD patients.
- Thrombotic events in LVAD patients include pump thrombosis, cerebrovascular accidents, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
- This case presents a rare instance of AT in an LVAD patient on anticoagulation.
Implications:
- Management strategies for AT in LVAD patients are not well-established.
- A multidisciplinary approach is suggested for managing this rare complication.
- Conservative treatment should be considered for patients with aortic root thrombus and LVAD.
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