title: Echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular remodeling after transplantation.
abstract: Right ventricular (RV) failure is a significant source of mortality after cardiac transplantation. The use of RV assist devices (RVAD) as a bridge to recovery has been reported. However, early changes of RV structure and anatomy after RVAD implantation have yet to be described. We report a case of RV failure after transplantation requiring RVAD implantation. After 3 weeks of gradual weaning of inotropic and RVAD support, the device was explanted successfully. Transesophageal echocardiography documents RV hypertrophy and remodeling between RVAD implantation and removal, suggesting a rapid adaptive response of the right ventricle in the presence of pulmonary hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Holger K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Eltzschig
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mihaljevic
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Raila
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Stanton K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shernan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling