Intercontinental LVAS patient transport

Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Nov;78(5):1818-20. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2003.09.018.

Abstract

Mechanical circulatory support is currently indicated for patients with cardiac insufficiency as a bridge to transplantation or as a bridge to recovery. These systems continue to evolve and improve, and many patients (after they are stabilized) are now able to be discharged from the hospital. This article reports our experience with the intercontinental transportation of a patient while being supported with a Novacor left ventricular assist system (WorldHeart Corp, Ottawa, Canada). While in Japan, the Canadian patient suffered a myocardial infarction and despite coronary artery bypass grafting, the patient remained in a low cardiac output state. After implantation of the left ventricular assist system in Japan, the patient was stabilized and transported by a commercial airline to Canada where he underwent successful heart transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / therapy
  • Adult
  • Aerospace Medicine*
  • Cardiac Output, Low / physiopathology
  • Cardiac Output, Low / surgery
  • Cardiac Output, Low / therapy
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Coronary Thrombosis / etiology
  • Coronary Thrombosis / surgery
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Myocardial Infarction / surgery
  • Ontario
  • Patient Care Team
  • Patient Transfer
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Thrombocytosis / complications
  • Transportation of Patients*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / etiology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / surgery