title: [Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography in the monitoring of a new endovascular left ventricle assist device].
abstract: We report our experience with echocardiography to guide the placement of a new left ventricular assist device, the Impella Recover 100, and to monitor its functioning. We monitored the introduction of 4 Impella Recover 100 devices in 2 patients by means of the transesophageal approach in the operating room, and thereafter we monitored the functioning of the devices by means of the multisection transthoracic approach in the intensive coronary care unit. The first Impella placement was performed in a patient as a "bridge" to heart transplantation, whereas the other three placements were performed in a patient as "recovery" for acute myocarditis. In all patients transesophageal echocardiography turned out to be a valuable tool to monitor the introduction and the perioperative hemodynamic management of the Impella device. In the early postoperative phase, transthoracic echocardiography allowed us to assess any pump displacement, and optimize biventricular function and adequate inotropic support. In conclusion, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography resulted in a valuable method for monitoring the correct placement and functioning of the left ventricular assist device Impella Recover 100.
authors.affiliation: U.O. di Anestesia e Unità di Cure Intensive Cardiotoraciche. emanuele.catena@tin.it
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Catena
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Milazzo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paino
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pittella
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garatti
authors.forename: Tiziano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantero
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013909:Thorax