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Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Catheter thrombectomy for basilar artery stroke immediately after insertion of durable left ventricular assist device
Vasiliki Gregory1, Ameesh Isath2, Atul D Bali2
1New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
Insights
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is rare but serious. Endovascular thrombectomy successfully treated early AIS in an LVAD patient, offering a viable option.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Neurology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a significant complication following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.
- AIS typically occurs 6-24 months post-implantation, making early-onset stroke a rare occurrence.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old male with severe coronary artery disease received an LVAD due to low output state post-CABG.
- Within 4.5 hours of LVAD implantation, the patient developed acute basilar artery ischemic stroke.
Findings:
- The patient underwent successful single-pass catheter endovascular thrombectomy for the acute ischemic stroke.
- This case highlights an uncommon early post-LVAD stroke presentation.
Implications:
- Endovascular thrombectomy is a feasible treatment for acute ischemic stroke in the early hours after LVAD implantation.
- This approach offers a therapeutic option despite challenges with anticoagulation in LVAD patients.
Abstract:
Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a serious complication associated with device morbidity. AIS development following LVAD placement typically presents between 6- and 24-months post implantation.Case/Results: We report a case of a 67-year-old male who initially presented with reduced ejection fraction and severe coronary vessel disease. Following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, the patient remained in a low output state necessitating placement of an LVAD device. Approximately 4.5 hours following LVAD implantation, a severe acute decrease in mental status revealed new development of ischemic stroke of the basilar artery, which was successfully treated in one pass with catheter endovascular thrombectomy.Conclusion: While embolic stroke management in these cases remains difficult as patients are usually anticoagulated, our case demonstrates the utilization of endovascular thrombectomy as a viable therapeutic option in the setting of an uncommon occurrence of embolic stroke in the hours following LVAD implantation.
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