title: Simple implantation of a temporary right ventricular device for right ventricular failure after left ventricular device implantation via a left lateral thoracotomy.
abstract: Right ventricular (RV) support in the case of RV failure after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a well-established surgical therapeutic option. However, there is a serious limitation of RV support after the insertion of a LVAD through lateral thoracotomy in patients who have undergone previous multiple cardiac operations. We describe a modified surgical approach for implantation of right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) via left lateral thoracotomy, with venous cannulation via a femoral vein and transpericardial outflow cannulation of the main pulmonary artery by Seldinger technique under echocardiographic monitoring. This technique was successfully used in a case with subsequent weaning from the RVAD after 10 days of support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany. stepanenko@dhzb.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stepanenko
authors.forename: Evgenij V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Potapov
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krabatsch
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hetzer
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013908:Thoracotomy; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000601:surgery; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*