Long-term use of the CentriMag® Ventricular Assist System as a right ventricular assist device: a case report

K E Griffith; E Jenkins; J Stulak; T Paugh; F D Pagani

doi:10.1177/0267659111424634

Long-term use of the CentriMag® Ventricular Assist System as a right ventricular assist device: a case report

Perfusion. 2012 Jan;27(1):65-70. doi: 10.1177/0267659111424634. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

Authors

K E Griffith¹, E Jenkins, J Stulak, T Paugh, F D Pagani

Affiliation

¹ Cardiovascular Center Perfusion Services, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. kegriff@med.umich.edu

PMID: 22025358
DOI: 10.1177/0267659111424634

Abstract

Right ventricular failure (RVF) following implantation of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality.( 1-4 ) Numerous centers have reported short-term use of the CentriMag (®) Ventricular Assist System (CVAS) (Levitronix LLC, Waltham, MA) for treatment of cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure and right ventricular failure (RVF) following LVAS implantation.( 5-9 ) The present report reviews the clinical course of a patient requiring long-term right ventricular support utilizing the CVAS, following a HeartMate (®) II LVAS (Thoratec Corp. Pleasanton, CA) implantation. Elevated cytotoxic antibody levels complicated the patient's treatment plan by precluding orthotropic heart transplantation. The CVAS operated for 304 days without mechanical difficulty until replaced with the HeartWare (®) Ventricular Assist System (HeartWare Inc. Miramar, FL).

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Female
Heart Failure / blood
Heart Failure / therapy*
Heart-Assist Devices / classification*
Hematocrit
Humans
Middle Aged
Partial Thromboplastin Time
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / blood
Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / therapy*