Implantation of an external biventricular assist device: role of transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography.
A patient with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy underwent implantation of a pulsatile external biventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation. The device insertion was guided by transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography that proved extremely helpful in allowing expeditious and precise positioning of both right and left atrial withdrawal cannulas.
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Padova Medical School, Italy.
G
G
Faggian
M
M
Dan
U
U
Bortolotti
U
U
Livi
G
G
Stellin
C
C
Sorbara
A
A
Mazzucco
V
V
Gallucci
D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000628:therapy*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged