Use of the Abiomed BVS 5000 Ventricular Assist Device for Myocardial Support Following Left Ventricular Aneurysmectomy: Case Report

Left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) are most commonly the result of a large transmural myocardial infarction, usually in the distribution of an occluded left anterior descending coronary artery. We investigated a case at Allegheny University Hospitals, Hahnemann Division, Philadelphia, PA, involving the use of the Abiomed BVS 5000 ventricular assist device (VAD) for LVA repair. The patient was successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass using the Abiomed BVS Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). The LVAD was successfully removed on the fourth postoperative day. In summary, we report the successful support of the myocardium with the Abiomed BVS 5000 Ventricular Assist Device after left ventricular aneurysmectomy. We favor mechanical over high dose inotropic support of the myocardium with a V AD in postcardiotomy patients with severe ventricular dysfunction.