title: Thromboembolic complications in a peripartum cardiomyopathy patient supported with the Abiomed BVS-5000 ventricular assist device.
abstract: A case of systemic embolization arising from an akinetic left ventricle in a peripartum cardiomyopathy patient supported with the Abiomed BVS-5000 ventricular assist device is reported. In an akinetic ventricle, prevention of blood stasis by positioning the atrial cannula tip across the mitral valve to decompress the ventricle may prevent this complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Anesthesia, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Resano
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Boyce
mesh_terms: D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000628:therapy*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology