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Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
Twisting of HeartMate II outflow graft 2.5 years after implantation-HM2 is still ongoing
Hiroaki Sakamoto1, Hideyuki Kato2, Toru Tsukada2
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan. sakamotoh@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.
Abstract:
A 47-year-old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent HeartMate II (HM2) implantation as a bridge-to-transplantation. Her postoperative course was good. However, 2.5 years after surgery, the outflow graft was found to be twisted and the graft and pump was exchanged. While HeartMate 3(HM3) twisting of the outflow graft is well documented, such malfunctions in HM2 are almost unknown. Although HM2 has since been discontinued, there are a significant number of patients using HM2 who are awaiting heart transplants or destination therapy. We caution that, even with HM2, the possibility of late-phase twisting requires vigilance.

