A left ventricular assist device for a patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy

J Surg Case Rep. 2018 Oct 26;2018(10):rjy285. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjy285. eCollection 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Since its introduction in Japan in 1980, the extracorporeal left ventricular assist device has been used as a bridge to the recovery of cardiac function or to heart transplantation by many institutions. In this case report, we describe a 23-year-old female with peripartum cardiomyopathy. She had a persistently low cardiac index despite intensive care with intravenous inotropes, intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; thus, we implanted an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device. Thereafter, her cardiac function gradually improved; the device was removed 2 months after the implantation. She currently has good heart function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports