Long-term use of the CentriMag® Ventricular Assist System as a right ventricular assist device: a case report.
Right ventricular failure (RVF) following implantation of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality.( 1-4 ) Numerous centers have reported short-term use of the CentriMag (®) Ventricular Assist System (CVAS) (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) for treatment of cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure and right ventricular failure (RVF) following LVAS implantation.( 5-9 ) The present report reviews the clinical course of a patient requiring long-term right ventricular support utilizing the CVAS, following a HeartMate (®) II LVAS (Thoratec Corp. Pleasanton, CA) implantation. Elevated cytotoxic antibody levels complicated the patient's treatment plan by precluding orthotropic heart transplantation. The CVAS operated for 304 days without mechanical difficulty until replaced with the HeartWare (®) Ventricular Assist System (HeartWare Inc. Miramar, FL).
Cardiovascular Center Perfusion Services, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. kegriff@med.umich.edu
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KE
Griffith
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Jenkins
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Stulak
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Paugh
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Pagani
D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000145:classification*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*