Intermittent aortic insufficiency as an aid to diagnosing obstruction in a HeartMate II continuous-flow left ventricular assist device.
This report details two cases of left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-related fungal infection. In both cases, the infection occurred within the device and formed an obstruction resulting in intermittent variation in the output of the LVAD. This was manifested by a change in the pattern of aortic insufficiency (AI) from continuous to intermittent on transesophageal echocardiography. Recognition of this finding may allow for noninvasive diagnosis of LVAD flow obstruction.
Center for Heart Transplant and Assist Devices, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453, USA.
Sunil
S
Pauwaa
Rashmi
R
Raghuvir
Sudha
S
Kurien
Antone J
AJ
Tatooles
Pat S
PS
Pappas
Geetha
G
Bhat
D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D058387:Candidemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*