Right ventricular failure in patients requiring left ventricular assistance.
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.
Cooper
G J
GJ
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, U.K.
Withington
P S
PS
Wood
A J
AJ
Magee
P G
PG
Lewis
C T
CT
Graham
T R
TR
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