Percutaneous ventricular assist device and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a patient with postinfarction ventricular septal defect and free wall rupture

Heart Surg Forum. 2013 Jun;16(3):E150-1. doi: 10.1532/HSF98.20121123.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 54-year-old woman with a postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) and ventricular free wall rupture who was stabilized with a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) to allow for myocardial infarct stabilization. Following the rupture of the right ventricular free wall and cardiopulmonary arrest on hospital day 10, pVAD support was promptly converted to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for stabilization. After surgical repair was completed, pVAD support was continued for 4 days to allow recovery. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11 and is alive and well 4 years later. Postinfarction VSD with free wall rupture may be salvaged with pVAD and ECMO support.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / diagnosis
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / etiology
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / therapy*
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Septal Rupture / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Septal Rupture / etiology
  • Ventricular Septal Rupture / therapy*