title: Alternative approach for use of a left ventricular assist device with a thrombosed prosthetic valve.
abstract: Implantation of a left ventricular assist device is problematic in patients with prosthetic heart valves, due to an increased risk of thrombosis with embolization. This report describes the use of a bovine pericardial patch to close the aortic outflow tract in a patient with a mechanical aortic valve and end-stage cardiomyopathy who required urgent left ventricular assist support. A successful outcome suggests that this technique may be of value in treating similar patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
authors.forename: Marc P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: Ching Pin
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vagelos
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000601:surgery; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery*