Impella Implantation as a Bridge to Surgery for Repair of Aorto-Right Ventricular Fistula Following Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: A Case Report

Heart Surg Forum. 2023 Jul 4;26(4):E311-E315. doi: 10.59958/hsf.5519.

Abstract

For patients with cardiogenic shock, delaying surgery with mechanical circulatory support is reported to yield better outcomes than emergency surgery. We report on an 82-year-old man diagnosed with vertebral osteomyelitis with concomitant infective endocarditis. Chest radiographs revealed a growing abscess, which resulted in an aorto-right ventricular fistula. Providing Impella support allowed for hemodynamic stabilization prior to surgery. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and reported to be well in a follow-up 1 year later. Impella support can be used as a bridge to surgery for repairing fistulous tract formation in patients in cardiogenic shock.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Endocarditis*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial*
  • Fistula* / diagnosis
  • Fistula* / etiology
  • Fistula* / surgery
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Shock, Cardiogenic