title: Minimally invasive left ventricular assist device explantation after cardiac recovery: surgical technical considerations.
abstract: The new generation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has enabled minimally invasive surgical procedures for implantation. Herein we present two alternative approaches for minimally invasive LVAD explantation following cardiac recovery, avoiding a sternotomy and improving patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schmitto
authors.forename: Sebastian V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Jasmin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hanke
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Avsar
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
keywords: Explantation; HeartWare; Left ventricular assist device