Asymptomatic ventricular fibrillation in peripartum cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular assist device. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dib, Elie P.; Grayburn, Paul A.; Bindra, Amarinder
• Is Part Of: Proceedings. Volume 34:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 181
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Cardiac assist device -- cardiomyopathy -- chronic heart failure -- ventricular fibrillation -- ventricular tachycardia; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2020.1829947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8280

Abstract

Abstract: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a dangerous ventricular arrhythmia that results in pulselessness and sudden cardiac death. We present a 43-year-old woman with peripartum cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and recalcitrant right-sided heart failure who presented with unsuccessful defibrillator shocks. The patient was asymptomatic while in persistent VF for over 4 hours. Echocardiography showed the heart to be in asystole. We hypothesize that a combination of chronic right heart failure and LVAD kept her asymptomatic. Patients supported with LVAD can survive prolonged periods with VF.