title: Colonic perforation from left ventricular assist device: a rare complication.
abstract: A patient with idiopathic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted, while awaiting cardiac transplantation. The patient had been stable following a complicated and prolonged postoperative course, but was admitted to the hospital for suspected low-grade LVAD-related infection. Work-up for sepsis was suspicious for perforated viscus. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a perforated transverse colon with gross spillage of succus. Although infectious complications following LVAD implantation are common, sepsis as a result of gastrointestinal perforation secondary to LVAD erosion is not. This first report of viscus perforation despite the use of a Gore-Tex wrap highlights a rare complication of LVAD therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. scherman@partners.org
authors.forename: Sara C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Jochen D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Muehlschlegel
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Couper
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000628:therapy*; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome