title: 6 months of "temporary" support by Levitronix left ventricular assist device.
abstract: An otherwise healthy 47-year-old man presented to the emergency department in cardiogenic shock after suffering a massive myocardial infarction due to left main occlusion. He was initially supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and subsequently was converted to paracorporeal support with a Levitronix left ventricular assist device. He experienced multiple postoperative complications including renal failure, respiratory failure, retroperitoneal hematoma requiring suspension of anticoagulation, and fungal bloodstream infection precluding transition to an implantable device. He was reconditioned and successfully underwent orthotopic heart transplant 183 days after presentation. A discussion of the relevant issues is included.
authors.affiliation: UO di Cardiochirurgia, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. alessandro.barbone@humanitas.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbone
authors.forename: Pietro Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Malvindi
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sorabella
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cortis
authors.forename: Paolo F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basciu
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raffa
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Citterio
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Settepani
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ornaghi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarelli
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vitali
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*