Presentation and management of left ventricular assist device inflow cannula malposition

• Published in: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation Vol. 30; no. 7; pp. 838 - 840
• Main Authors: Milano, Carmelo A., MD, Simeone, Alan A., MD, Blue, Laura J., NP, Rogers, Joseph G., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-07-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac Catheterization - adverse effects; Cardiac Catheterization - instrumentation; Cardiology. Vascular system; complication; Emergency and intensive cardiocirculatory care. Cardiogenic shock. Coronary intensive care; Heart-Assist Devices; Humans; inflow cannula; Intensive care medicine; left ventricular assist device; Male; Medical Errors; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Reoperation; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Treatment Outcome; complication; inflow cannula; left ventricular assist device; Artificial heart; Intensive cardiocirculatory care; Clinical management; Cannula; Artificial ventricle; Cardiocirculatory support; Auxiliary ventricule; Circulatory system; Cardiology; Phlebology; Malposition
• ISSN: 1053-2498; 1557-3117
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2011.03.003

An unusual problem associated with the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) relates to malposition of the apical inflow cannula. From 2005 to 2010, we implanted 154 continuous-flow HeartMate II (Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) LVADs at our institution. In 4 separate instances, patients appeared to have malposition of the inflow cannula that resulted in serious symptoms. All 4 patients underwent surgery to reposition the cannula. Successful outcomes were achieved for 3 of the 4 patients.