Jimba T, Hatano M, Fujiwara T, Akazawa H, Watanabe M, Kinugawa K, Ono M, Komuro I. A case of progressive right ventricular failure with ventricular arrhythmia and aortic insufficiency after implantable left ventricular assist device implantation.
J Cardiol Cases 2024;
29:7-10. [PMID:
38188322 PMCID:
PMC10770093 DOI:
10.1016/j.jccase.2023.08.017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a serious complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. In this report, a case of RVF that developed over two years after LVAD implantation is presented. The patient was a 12-year-old male with dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He had no risk factors for early or late-onset RVF. However, his right ventricular function worsened after he developed ventricular arrhythmia (VA), and right ventricular dysfunction became exacerbated with an increasing frequency of VAs. He also developed moderate aortic insufficiency (AI), which became severe. Two years after implantation, he was admitted for treatment of recurrent ventricular tachycardia and became inotropic-dependent during hospitalization. Finally, he underwent successful heart transplantation 2 years and 9 months after LVAD implantation. This case suggests that vicious cycle of RV dysfunction, recurrent VAs and severe AI could lead to RVF in patients without known risk factors for RVF, even long after LVAD implantation.
Learning objective
This report shows a progressive right ventricular failure (RVF) two years after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Although the patient had no known risk factor, vicious circle of RV dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and aortic insufficiency (AI) lead to RVF. Patients with LVAD as destination therapy will increase and require long-term LVAD management. We should recognize that these patients could develop RVF even years after LVAD implantation in association with VAs and AI.
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