Successful surgical treatment of terminal heart failure in an adolescent - left ventricular assist device implantation and subsequent heart transplantation

Abstract

Introduction. Implantation of the new-generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an efficient therapeutic option as a bridge to transplantation in adults, as well as in children and adolescents with small body surface. The aim of this work was to present a case of a successful surgical treatment of terminal heart failure in a male adolescent who had an LVAD implanted as a bridge to heart transplantation. Case outline. The patient, a 17-year-old male, was admitted with the end-stage heart failure due to the dilated cardiomyopathy and implanted LVAD. Fourteen months after LVAD implantation, a successful “second stage” surgical procedure was performed – orthotopic heart transplantation preceded by the LVAD explantation. Conclusion. Long-term mechanical circulatory support is an effective and safe method in treatment of the end-stage heart failure as a bridge to transplantation in the adolescent period.

Keywords

• heart failure
• heart transplant
• left ventricular assist device
• adolescents