Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Percutaneous Stenting of LVAD Outflow Graft Obstruction: A Multimodality Imaging Case Series
Ahmed Ahmed1, Fahad Eid1, Mohamed Eid1
1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, New York, USA.
Background:
Outflow graft obstruction (OGO) is an increasingly recognized complication of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs), particularly the HeartMate 3. Surgical revision is often high risk, and percutaneous alternatives are emerging.
Aims:
To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of endovascular stenting for the treatment of LVAD OGO using a multimodality imaging approach.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all HeartMate 3 patients undergoing percutaneous treatment of OGO at our institution between September 2023 and April 2025. Clinical presentation, multimodality imaging findings, procedural characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed.
Results:
Eight patients underwent endovascular intervention. All presented with persistent low-flow alarms and variable syncope or neurologic symptoms. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Median LVAD flow improved from 2.8 L/min pre-intervention to 4.4 L/min post-intervention. Two access-related bleeding complications and one hemothorax occurred, all managed successfully. At a median follow-up of 7 months, no recurrent OGO was observed.
Conclusions:
Endovascular stenting guided by multimodality imaging is a feasible and effective alternative to surgical revision for LVAD OGO in selected patients.
