Open AccessAortic valve thrombosis after valve-sparing aortic root replacement and insertion of an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device, masked by mediastinal packing
Author(s) -
Yoshiaki Uda,
Leonid Minkovich,
Maral Ouzounian,
Massimiliano Meineri
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular echography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.255
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 2347-193X
pISSN - 2211-4122
DOI - 10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_26_18
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiogenic shock , thrombus , complication , cardiology , aortic valve , ventricular assist device , aortic valve replacement , transesophageal echocardiogram , thrombosis , aortic root , surgery , radiology , heart failure , aorta , stenosis , myocardial infarction
Aortic valve (AV) or aortic root thrombus related to a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a relatively uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication. In the present report, we describe a complex case where echocardiographic diagnosis of AV thrombosis was obscured by the presence of mediastinal packing in a patient who underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement and insertion of the CentriMag™ LVAD for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. A large AV thrombus may develop rapidly in patients with LVADs. This case highlights the importance of a careful and thorough transesophageal echocardiography examination in detecting this complication and in altering surgical management.