Open AccessAcute heart transplantation from mechanical circulatory support in a human immunodeficiency virus‐positive patient with fulminant myocarditis
Author(s) -
SzakalToth Zsofia,
Szlavik Janos,
Soltesz Adam,
Berzsenyi Viktor,
Csikos Gergely,
Varga Tamas,
Racz Kristof,
Kiraly Akos,
Sax Balazs,
Hartyanszky Istvan,
Fintha Attila,
Prohaszka Zoltan,
Monostory Katalin,
Merkely Bela,
Nemeth Endre
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
esc heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.787
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 2055-5822
DOI - 10.1002/ehf2.13271
Subject(s) - medicine , myocarditis , cardiogenic shock , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , fulminant , heart transplantation , transplantation , heart failure , ventricular assist device , circulatory system , immunodeficiency , cardiomyopathy , cardiology , immunology , myocardial infarction , immune system
Since the establishment of highly active antiretroviral therapy, survival rates have improved among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection giving them the possibility to become transplant candidates. Recent publications revealed that human immunodeficiency virus‐positive heart transplant recipients' survival is similar to non‐infected patients. We present the case of a 40‐year‐old human immunodeficiency virus infected patient, who was hospitalized due to severely decreased left ventricular function with a possible aetiology of acute myocarditis, that has later been confirmed by histological investigation of myocardial biopsy. Due to rapid progression to refractory cardiogenic shock, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation had been initiated, which was upgraded to biventricular assist device later. On the 35th day of upgraded support, the patient underwent heart transplantation uneventfully. Our clinical experience confirms that implementation of temporary mechanical circulatory support and subsequent cardiac transplantation might be successful in human immunodeficiency virus‐positive patients even in case of new onset, irreversible acute heart failure.