Thrombosis of the ascending aorta during mechanical circulatory support in a patient with cardiogenic shock.
Cardiogenic shock after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a life-threatening complication and is most often related to abrupt vessel closure. We present the case of a patient who developed cardiogenic shock after PCI and was supported with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation and the Levitronix CentriMag short-term mechanical circulatory support. He was evaluated for implantation of a ventricular assist device as bridge-to-transplantation. Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed a massive thrombus of the aortic root and ascending aorta despite optimal anticoagulation regimen. The patient succumbed due to multiorgan failure.
Leontiadis
Evangelos
E
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Diabetes Center North-Rhine Westphalia, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. evanleon@yahoo.com
Koertke
Heinrich
H
Bairaktaris
Andreas
A
Koerfer
Reiner
R
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001011:Aorta; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*