title: Replacement of a malfunctioning HeartMate II left ventricular assist device in a 14-year-old after a sudden fall.
abstract: An increasing number of patients are returning to normal activity after implantation of intracorporeal left ventricular assist devices. We describe the emergency replacement of the impeller portion of a HeartMate II left ventricular assist system that had stopped functioning after the 14-year-old recipient experienced a sudden fall from a skateboard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiopulmonary Transplantation, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas 77225-0345, USA.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Francesca
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Igor D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Gregoric
authors.forename: Biswajit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kar
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Damon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Frazier
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D020878:Device Removal; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D019233:Retreatment