Abstract
A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and no history of thromboembolic events received a surgically implanted axial-flow left ventricular assist device. After implantation, transesophageal echocardiography revealed a giant thrombus on the lateral and anterior aspects of the left ventricle. The inflow cannula inserted through the apex of the left ventricle was not obstructed, and the device generated satisfactory blood flow. Laboratory screening for thrombophilia showed protein S deficiency, heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation, and heterozygous MTHFR C667T mutation. During the entire duration of circulatory support, no significant suction events were detected, and the patient was listed for heart transplantation. Ventricular assist device implantation can unmask previously undiagnosed thrombophilia; therefore, it should be necessary to identify thrombophilic patients before cardiac support implantation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 615-617 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Texas Heart Institute Journal |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| State | Published - Oct 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anticoagulants/therapeutic use
- Blood coagulation disorders/complications
- Factor V Leiden
- Factor V/genetics
- Left ventricular assist device
- Perioperative care
- Postoperative complications
- Thrombophilia/genetics
- Thrombus/etiology/ prevention & control
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine