Preemptive axillo-axillary placement of percutaneous transseptal ventricular assist device to facilitate high-risk reoperative cardiac surgery

Anelechi C Anyanwu; Gregory W Fischer; Jill Kalman; Irina Plotkina; Sean Pinney; David H Adams

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2009.06.119

Preemptive axillo-axillary placement of percutaneous transseptal ventricular assist device to facilitate high-risk reoperative cardiac surgery

Ann Thorac Surg. 2010 Jun;89(6):2053-5. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2009.06.119.

Authors

Anelechi C Anyanwu¹, Gregory W Fischer, Jill Kalman, Irina Plotkina, Sean Pinney, David H Adams

Affiliation

¹ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029, USA. anelechi.anyanwu@mountsinai.org

PMID: 20494091
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2009.06.119

Abstract

We describe preemptive placement of a TandemHeart percutaneous left ventricular assist device (CardiacAssist Inc, Pittsburgh, PA) through the axillary artery and vein for temporary postoperative support in a patient with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing high-risk cardiac reoperation. We believe this approach is preferable to high-dose catecholamines because of preserved early tissue perfusion without excessive vasoconstriction. Axillo-axillary placement is advantageous because patients can sit up and partially mobilize, and there is no need to reopen the chest for explantation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Axillary Artery
Axillary Vein
Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods*
Heart-Assist Devices*
Humans
Male
Prosthesis Implantation / methods
Reoperation
Risk Factors