Implantation of the Jarvik 2000® left ventricular assist device using the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation system - a case report

Myocardial failure is generally considered to be a progressive, irreversible medical condition with characteristic ventricular enlargement, spatial alteration of the heart chambers, diminished cardiac inotropy and resultant dysfunctional, mechanically inefficient heart. The Jarvik 2000 (R), similar to the mechanical pump, is an electrically powered, axial-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) designed to enhance the function of the chronically failing heart and, consequently, normalize the cardiac output for a long period of time. We report the case of 70-year-old man with congestive dilated cardiomyopathy and bioprosthetic mitral valve who underwent surgical implantation of the Jarvik 2000 (R) LVAD, using the miniaturized extracorporeal circulation (MECC) system. The LVAD was implanted through a left thoracotomy and the MECC system was used to avoid intraoperative spontaneous hemodynamic instability and/or malignant ventricular arrhythmia. The circulatory support with the MECC system was optimal and no complication in terms of hemodynamic instability and perioperative bleeding was recorded. The MECC system obliterated the adverse effects associated with conventional extracorporeal circulation, which are often fatal in critically-ill patients.