An unusual thrombus location in a Heartmate 3TM device with fatal outcome. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Banfi, Carlo; Rigamonti, Fabio; Ahmadov, Kamran; Meyer, Philippe; Hachulla, Anne-Lise; Craviari, Cecilia; Fontana, Pierre; Bendjelid, Karim; Giraud, Raphaël
• Is Part Of: Perfusion. Volume 35:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 442
• Page End: 446
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) -- HeartMate 3TM -- pump thrombosis -- adverse events -- cardiogenic shock and thrombolysis; Perfusion (Physiology) -- Periodicals; Blood -- Circulation, Artificial -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Extracorporeal Circulation -- Periodicals; Perfusion -- Periodicals; Circulation extracorporelle -- Périodiques; Perfusion -- Périodiques; 617.41
• DOI: 10.1177/0267659119890218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-6591

Abstract

Even if the HeartMate 3 TM left ventricular assist device is associated with excellent outcomes, complications, such as pump thrombosis continue to affect patients on hemodynamic support. We report the history of a 68-year-old man who underwent implantation of an HeartMate 3 TM as a bridge to transplantation. Nineteen months later, he developed signs of heart failure leading to cardiogenic shock. Neither clinical examination nor parameters from the device allowed a clear-cut diagnosis. Only surgical exploration revealed the presence of clots between the polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron®) and polytetrafluoroethylene tubes. This constitutes a weakness of this device for which we propose to the manufacturer for minimal modifications to overcome the problem.