Successful double bridge to transplantation with the Thoratec ventricular assist device.
A 34-year-old woman was successfully bridged to heart transplantation after 5 days of biventricular support on the Thoratec system. Acute graft failure necessitated immediate replacement of biventricular support, which continued for 12 days until successful retransplantation occurred. Uneventful recovery led to discharge from the hospital on postoperative day 18.
Seifert
P E
PE
Cardiac Surgery Associates, Limited, Milwaukee, Wis. 53215.
Auer
J E
JE
Hazelrigg
S R
SR
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors