title: Disseminated malignancy after extracorporeal life support and left ventricular assist device, diagnosed by left ventricular apical core biopsy.
abstract: The left ventricular apical core biopsy performed during implantation of a left ventricular assist device (VAD) is a well-known diagnostic procedure in confirming cardiomyopathies leading to end-stage heart failure. We describe a patient in whom disseminated malignancy was revealed by means of the apical core biopsy after extracorporeal life support and left ventricular assist device implantation as a bridge to transplantation. This case emphasizes the importance of thorough oncological screening before VAD implantation and the possible consequences of circulating tumour cells in this device-assisted circulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tine E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Philipsen
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: Viviane M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Conraads
authors.forename: Inez E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Rodrigus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D001706:Biopsy; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
keywords: Apical core biopsy; Fibrolamellar hepatic carcinoma; Heart transplantation; Ventricular assist device
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