Atypical tamponade hemodynamic in a patient with temporary left ventricular assist device

Abstract

Postoperative bleeding and tamponade are considered major complications after implantation of left ventricular assist devices. Firstly, 40% of patients supported by ventricular assist devices experience early postoperative bleeding, and 20% developed tamponade requiring re-exploration. Secondly, we present a case of a patient with tamponade, on temporary left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support with atypical hemodynamic and echocardiographic manifestations demonstrated with computed tomography (CT)-M mode, conventional Doppler, color Doppler and echo imaging. © 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.