title: Left ventricular assist device implantation via left thoracotomy: alternative to repeat sternotomy.
abstract: Repeat sternotomy for left ventricular assist device insertion may result in injury to the right heart or patent coronary grafts, complicating intraoperative and postoperative management. In 4 critically ill patients, left thoracotomy was used as an alternative to repeat sternotomy. Anastomosis of the outflow conduit to the descending thoracic aorta provided satisfactory hemodynamic support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-5734, USA. robin.pierson@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Howser
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dignan
authors.forename: Davis C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Drinkwater
authors.forename: Karla G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Javed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chomsky
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Stacy  F
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D012086:Reoperation; D013908:Thoracotomy