Left ventricular assist with diaphragm-type blood pump and PBP driving unit

Abstract

On October 7, 1985, a 65 year-old man underwent patch closure of the ruptured ventricular septum immediately after he fell into cardiogenic shock due to ventricular septal rupture following acute myocardial infarction. He could not be weaned from CPB inspite of mechanical support of IABP and aggressive medical therapy, so LVAD was inserted. AVCO PBP-20 was used to drive a LVAD pump for 58 hours. Abrupt stoping of the pump due to accidental trigger mistake suggested the necessity of backup system. The patient was weaned from LVAD system on 16th POD, but died 4 hours later with severe LOS and MOP. However heparin was used, a lot of coagula was detected in LV around the prosthetic patch but not in the blood pump and conduits at autopsy. In such a case more strict anticoagulation therapy should be considered.