Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies of Outflow Graft Obstruction in the Fully Magnetically Levitated Continuous-Flow centrifugal Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Multicenter Case Series

Abstract

Outflow graft obstruction in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is a rare complication whose clinical presentation may be subtle. We present six cases of outflow graft obstruction in patients on HeartMate 3 LVAD detected between 648 and 1,222 days on support. Detection principles are described and treatment strategies discussed. Three patients were successfully managed with stents, one underwent surgical revision, one patient died despite emergency treatment, and the last patient without symptoms was listed for heart transplantation. © ASAIO 2020