Preemptive axillo-axillary placement of percutaneous transseptal ventricular assist device to facilitate high-risk reoperative cardiac surgery.
We describe preemptive placement of a TandemHeart percutaneous left ventricular assist device (CardiacAssist Inc, Pittsburgh, PA) through the axillary artery and vein for temporary postoperative support in a patient with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing high-risk cardiac reoperation. We believe this approach is preferable to high-dose catecholamines because of preserved early tissue perfusion without excessive vasoconstriction. Axillo-axillary placement is advantageous because patients can sit up and partially mobilize, and there is no need to reopen the chest for explantation.
Anyanwu
Anelechi C
AC
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029, USA. anelechi.anyanwu@mountsinai.org
Fischer
Gregory W
GW
Kalman
Jill
J
Plotkina
Irina
I
Pinney
Sean
S
Adams
David H
DH
D000368:Aged; D001366:Axillary Artery; D001367:Axillary Vein; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors