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Missing the blind spot in a HeartMate 3 LVAD outflow graft obstruction caused by fungal infection
Author(s) -
Hoermandinger Christoph,
Schoenrath Felix,
Stawowy Philipp,
Winkler David,
Falk Volkmar,
Potapov Evgenij,
Just Isabell Anna
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/aor.14075
Subject(s) - cardiogenic shock , thrombus , medicine , outflow , ventricular assist device , cardiology , inotrope , angiography , shock (circulatory) , radiology , surgery , heart failure , myocardial infarction , physics , meteorology
A patient was admitted in cardiogenic shock and a constant decrease of pump flow requiring combined inotropic support. To evaluate the cause, echocardiography and a ramp test were performed. The results suggested a LVAD related problem ‐ particularly a suspected outflow graft obstruction. Wether CT scan nor angiography confirmed the assumption. However, a post‐mortem LVAD examination revealed an outflow obstruction caused by a fungal thrombus formation invisible for standard imaging procedures.