Eight months of HeartMate II device support without drug therapy

Abstract

Thromboembolic complication rates of 20%–30% were initially a major limitation to the widespread use of left ventricular assist devices. The success of the HeartMate (Thoratec, Corp., Pleasanton, CA, USA) device has been partly due to the reduced incidence of thromboembolic events, although anticoagulation regime has been recommended for this mechanical circulatory support. We here present a case with the placement of HeartMate II in a patient, noncompliant to medical therapy where device worked for 8 months without any anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.

Keywords

• Anticoagulation
• device thrombosis
• HeartMate II
• no drug therapy
• noncompliance