Myocardial recovery in peri-partum cardiomyopathy after continuous flow left ventricular assist device

Abstract

Abstract Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) offer effective therapy for severe heart failure (HF) as bridge to transplantation or destination therapy. Rarely, the sustained unloading provided by the LVAD has led to cardiac reverse remodelling and recovery, permitting explantation of the device. We describe the clinical course of a patient with severe peri-partum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) rescued with a continuous flow LVAD, who experienced recovery and explantation. We discuss assessment of and criteria for recovery.

Keywords

• Peri-partum cardiomyopathy
• heart failure
• recovery
• left ventricular assist device
• mechanical circulatory support