Temporary biventricular mechanical circulatory support utilizing a simple left ventricular apical cannulation...

Surgical management of cardiogenic shock, utilizing mechanical circulatory support, can provide a bridge to recovery, a bridge to decision-making, and/or a bridge to transplantation. The management of advanced heart failure, employing either temporary or durable mechanical circulatory support, dominantly is directed towards supporting the left ventricular (LV) function. Unfortunately, right ventricular (RV) failure is not uncommon and significantly impacts morbidity and mortality. We demonstrate a technique to support biventricular failure, utilizing a simple LV apical cannulation technique, which may reduce thrombotic complications, and an RV cannulation strategy that offers the potential to improve recovery, in the form of early extubation, potential ambulation, and removal of the implanted device without having to reopen the patient's chest.