Conversion of the TandemHeart percutaneous ventricular assist device to long-term support

Abstract

The TandemHeart percutaneous ventricular assist device (VAD) has been employed at our institution to support a diverse group of patients. Patients that fail to demonstrate ventricular recovery must be transitioned to more definitive ventricular assist device support. We report utilization of the TandemHeart femoral cannulae as conduits for cardiopulmonary bypass as an operative strategy to facilitate implantation of a more durable VAD system.