Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) enables survival during 7 h of sustained ventricular fibrillation

Abstract

We describe the case of a patient implanted with a DeBakey left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as bridge to transplant who survived 7 h of ventricular fibrillation. He was successfully converted into a stable sinus rhythm.

Normalization of high pulmonary vascular resistance with LVAD support in heart transplantation candidates☆

“…One patient suffered from a 7-h episode of ventricular fibrillation (recorded by his pace-maker). Following electro conversion he remained in sinus rhythm for over 3 weeks (see case report) [14]. Two patients died while on support in this subgroup at days 81 (unknown cause) and 76 (thrombo-embolic event, see case report [14]).…”

Ventricular Arrhythmias After Left Ventricular Assist Device

“…LVADs can occasionally be used to manage VA by providing hemodynamic stability during prolonged episodes of VT or VF. 21,[24][25][26][27][28] In addition to morbidity, there is some concern that VA could lead to mortality in patients with LVADs. In the setting of LVAD for bridge to transplant, Bedi et al 13 reported a significantly higher mortality rate for patients who experienced VA compared with those without (33% versus 18%; P<0.01).…”

Cytoskeletal Basis of Ion Channel Function in Cardiac Muscle

“…[3][4][5] Large epidemiological studies, such as the REMATCH study, demonstrated that the employment of LVAD significantly improved survival rate and the quality of life, in comparison to optimal medical management. 6 An early postoperative period study after cardiac unloading therapy in 17 HF patients showed that in the first two weeks after LVAD implantation, HF was associated with a relatively high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias associated with QTc interval prolongation 7 .…”