title: CentriMag left ventricular assist system: cannulation through a right minithoracotomy.
abstract: The CentriMag left ventricular assist system can be used for perioperative or postcardiotomy circulatory support of the failing heart. The device resides at the patient's bedside, and the cannulae are usually inserted through a midline sternotomy, with the inflow cannula in the left ventricle or right superior pulmonary vein and the outflow cannula in the aorta. In a patient whose chest has been closed and who has a delayed need for temporary mechanical support, a less invasive method of left ventricular assist device cannula insertion is preferred. In these cases, the CentriMag cannulae can be inserted through a right minithoracotomy with the inflow cannula in the right superior pulmonary vein and the outflow cannula in the aorta, with no heparinization. Herein, we describe this approach in a patient who experienced postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock after aortocoronary bypass surgery. This technique may facilitate ambulation and recovery in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. igregoric@heart.thi.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Igor D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Gregoric
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.forename: Mehmet H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Akay
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Francesca
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Frazier
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013908:Thoracotomy