Key result
Transesophageal echocardiography successfully diagnosed a mobile left ventricular thrombus adjacent to the inflow cannula in a patient with a left ventricular assist device using apical cannulation.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Transesophageal echocardiography is useful for the early detection of left ventricular thrombus in patients with ventricular assist devices, even those with apical cannulation where such complications are considered rare.
Hypothesis-generating for TEE in apical LVAD thrombus; prospective studies needed before clinical adoption.
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. Despite adequate anticoagulation, thromboembolism is a major complication and in particular, a left ventricular (LV) thrombus associated with VADs has been reported as an important cause of thromboembolic complications. The frequency of LV thrombus formation in the patients with VAD support using LV apical cannulation is reported to be low. A 61-year-old woman supported with VAD with LV apical cannulation had a mobile LV thrombus adjacent to the inflow cannula diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Miyake et al. (2004) conducted a case report in Severe bi-ventricular failure requiring VAD support (n=1). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was evaluated. Transesophageal echocardiography successfully diagnosed a mobile left ventricular thrombus adjacent to the inflow cannula in a patient with a left ventricular assist device using apical cannulation.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: