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Untwist the twist: instant hemodynamic improvement in known HeartMate 3 complication

  • Case Report
  • Artificial Heart (Clinical)
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Abstract

The HeartMate 3 [HM3 (Abbott, Abbott Park, Illinois)] is a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) with excellent clinical results. Outflow graft occlusion as a complication secondary to outflow graft twisting was reported to occur in 1.6% within the MOMENTUM 3 trial. The anti-twist metal clip or modified bend relief is made to prevent this complication currently, however, there remain large numbers of early implanted HM3 which may develop this complication. There are limited reports illustrating diagnosis, surgical repair, and post-repair hemodynamic changes of these complications. Thus, we present a case of successful diagnosis and surgical repair of an outflow graft twist. Simple procedure through thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass provides significant immediate hemodynamic improvement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA

    Lowell Su, Camille E. Hironaka, Frederick Y. Chen, Gregory S. Couper & Masashi Kawabori

  2. Department of Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA

    Michael S. Kiernan

Authors
  1. Lowell Su
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  2. Camille E. Hironaka
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  3. Frederick Y. Chen
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  4. Gregory S. Couper
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  5. Michael S. Kiernan
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  6. Masashi Kawabori
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Camille E. Hironaka or Masashi Kawabori.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Su, L., Hironaka, C.E., Chen, F.Y. et al. Untwist the twist: instant hemodynamic improvement in known HeartMate 3 complication. J Artif Organs 24, 365–367 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-020-01220-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-020-01220-w

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