Mechanical bridge to recovery in fulminant myocarditis.

Westaby, S; Katsumata, T; Pigott, D; Jin, X Y; Saatvedt, K; Horton, M; Clark, R E · Ann Thorac Surg · 2000

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A patient with acute fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis and cardiogenic shock was successfully treated by mechanical off loading of the left ventricle. A nonpulsatile left-heart bypass was undertaken with an implantable centrifugal blood pump. Careful weaning resulted in device removal on the seventh day. Left and right ventricular function is sustained at 7 months. Widespread application of this method depends on the availability of an inexpensive user friendly blood pump, appropriate weaning protocols and emerging strategies to promote sustainable myocardial recovery.

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