Aortic root thrombus complicated by left main coronary artery occlusion visualized by 3D echocardiography in a patient with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device

Abstract

Aortic root thrombus is an uncommon complication of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). We present the case of a 71-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy who underwent destination therapy HeartMate II LVAD placement. Eighteen months later, he presented with a cerebrovascular accident followed by myocardial infarction. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed an aortic root thrombus spanning the left and noncoronary cusps and obliterating the left main coronary artery. We discuss the incidence, risk factors, and management of aortic root thrombus in LVAD patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of three-dimensional echocardiography used to characterize an LVAD-associated aortic root thrombus.

Keywords: aortic root thrombus; coronary artery occlusion; left ventricular assist device; three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.