Temporary ventricular assist device implantation by sternotomy-avoiding technique for bridge-to-decision therapy: a comparison with conventional implantation

Beating heart left ventricle thrombectomy through mini-left-anterior thoracotomy for a patient with cardiogenic shock

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is frequently occurred with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) when a patient receives extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for cardiogenic shock. LV decompression techniques are sometimes required immediately after ECMO support. However, LV thrombus is a contra indication for LV assist device (LVAD). We planned a mini-left-anterior thoracotomy instead of using sternotomy, and used beating heart under ECMO support. LV was opened through apex and thrombectomy was performed by finger manipulation and the remained thrombus was removed by balloon guided technique. Our technique is a simple and durable method for removing LV thrombus under ECMO support and might be considered as a supplementary procedure before temporally LVAD.