title: Treatment of a distal left main trifurcation supported by the TandemHeart left ventricular assist device.
abstract: The TandemHeart left ventricular assist device was used to support the haemodynamics in a case of high risk percutaneous coronary intervention where surgery was not considered to be the first line therapeutic option. The patient had poor left ventricular function with a Logistic Euroscore of 11.4%. Highlighted in this report is a novel approach to managing a left main coronary artery trifurcation with two "aggressive T" stents, facilitated by two-catheter intubation of the left main. This allows triple "kissing" balloons ("ménage a trois") and independent "active" guiding catheter manipulation. Side branch protection with a non-inflated balloon can allow a reverse crush to be performed if required.
authors.affiliation: Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramcharitar
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaina
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Serruys
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sianos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015607:Stents; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery