A 64-year-old man being evaluated for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) preoperatively experienced pulseless electrical activity secondary to right ventricular failure while undergoing bronchoscopy. After return of spontaneous circulation, a percutaneous right ventricular assist device (RVAD) was placed through the right internal jugular vein. He continued on right ventricular support with demonstration of right ventricular recovery over the following 8 days, and subsequently underwent PTE for treatment of his primary condition. He recovered and was weaned from his RVAD support uneventfully. The need for RVAD support has traditionally been a contraindication for PTE; however, circulatory assist devices have been used as a salvage procedure for right-heart failure after PTE. This case highlights the potential for percutaneous mechanical circulatory support in treating severe perioperative right ventricular dysfunction, and to facilitate successful recovery in patients undergoing PTE.
Keywords: chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; mechanical circulatory assistance; pulmonary thromboendarterectomy; right ventricular assist device(s).