Successful removal of a potentially lethal left atrial thrombus detected by transesophageal echocardiography following the removal of a left ventricular assist device inflow cannula. 2012

Chia-Chun Chuang, and Chien-Ching Lee, and Shu-Wei Liao, and Chien-Kun Ting, and Chi-Chun Chu, and Kwok-Hon Chan, and Su-Man Lin
Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a battery-operated, mechanical pump-type device that helps in maintaining the pumping ability of a failing heart. Thromboembolism poses a significant risk during and after LVAD implantation. It occurs in up to 35% of patients with adverse sequelae. We present the case of a 75-year-old man who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery and LVAD implantation for acute myocardial ischemia and severe left ventricular dysfunction. However, subsequent transthoracic echocardiographic examination revealed an LVAD thrombus, and LVAD removal was suggested following the failure of thrombolytic therapy. After the LVAD cannula was removed, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a residual thrombus in the left atrium. Thrombectomy was successfully performed by opening the left atrium with cardiopulmonary bypass. We believe that TEE monitoring aided the implantation and removal of the LVAD device. In this case, we found that TEE not only helped in monitoring the ventricular function but also in detecting other problems such as the residual thrombus. We strongly recommend TEE monitoring during the entire LVAD-removal procedure, particularly for patients who need to undergo LVAD removal because of thrombosis formation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D006325 Heart Atria The chambers of the heart, to which the BLOOD returns from the circulation. Heart Atrium,Left Atrium,Right Atrium,Atria, Heart,Atrium, Heart,Atrium, Left,Atrium, Right
D006331 Heart Diseases Pathological conditions involving the HEART including its structural and functional abnormalities. Cardiac Disorders,Heart Disorders,Cardiac Diseases,Cardiac Disease,Cardiac Disorder,Heart Disease,Heart Disorder
D006353 Heart-Assist Devices Small pumps, often implantable, designed for temporarily assisting the heart, usually the LEFT VENTRICLE, to pump blood. They consist of a pumping chamber and a power source, which may be partially or totally external to the body and activated by electromagnetic motors. Artificial Ventricle,Heart Assist Device,Heart Ventricle, Artificial,Pumps, Heart-Assist,Vascular-Assist Device,Vascular-Assist Devices,Ventricle-Assist Device,Ventricular Assist Device,Artificial Heart Ventricle,Artificial Heart Ventricles,Artificial Ventricles,Assist Device, Heart,Assist Device, Ventricular,Assist Devices, Heart,Assist Devices, Ventricular,Device, Heart Assist,Device, Heart-Assist,Device, Vascular-Assist,Device, Ventricle-Assist,Device, Ventricular Assist,Devices, Heart Assist,Devices, Heart-Assist,Devices, Vascular-Assist,Devices, Ventricle-Assist,Devices, Ventricular Assist,Heart Assist Devices,Heart Ventricles, Artificial,Heart-Assist Device,Heart-Assist Pump,Heart-Assist Pumps,Pump, Heart-Assist,Pumps, Heart Assist,Vascular Assist Device,Vascular Assist Devices,Ventricle Assist Device,Ventricle, Artificial,Ventricle, Artificial Heart,Ventricle-Assist Devices,Ventricles, Artificial,Ventricles, Artificial Heart,Ventricular Assist Devices
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D013927 Thrombosis Formation and development of a thrombus or blood clot in BLOOD VESSELS. Atherothrombosis,Thrombus,Blood Clot,Blood Clots,Thromboses
D017548 Echocardiography, Transesophageal Ultrasonic recording of the size, motion, and composition of the heart and surrounding tissues using a transducer placed in the esophagus. Transesophageal Echocardiography
D020878 Device Removal Removal of an implanted therapeutic or prosthetic device. Device Removals,Removal, Device,Removals, Device

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