title: Right ventricular failure in patients requiring left ventricular assistance.
abstract: Right ventricular failure may complicate isolated left ventricular assistance. In a series of 8 patients undergoing left ventricular assistance in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, right ventricular failure developed in 5, directly contributing to death in all cases despite initially satisfactory support. Difficulty in grafting a dominant right coronary artery was a common factor in all cases. Early consideration should be given to biventricular support under these circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, U.K.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Withington
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right