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Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Secondary to Aortic Root Thrombosis in a Patient With a Left Ventricular
Umama Gorsi1, Julia Kumar2, Nathan Kim3
1Cardiology/Heart Failure, University System of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
Abstract:
Aortic root thrombosis (ART) is a rare but serious complication of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support that can result in coronary artery occlusion. We present a 66-year-old man with a HeartMate 3 LVAD who presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Urgent coronary angiography revealed an aortic root thrombus with complete ostial right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion. He underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent placement. His course was complicated by ventricular fibrillation and right ventricular shock, followed by clinical recovery. This case highlights ART as an uncommon cause of acute myocardial infarction in LVAD-supported patients and emphasizes the importance of prompt recognition and management of ischemic complications in this population.
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