Minimally Invasive Right Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in a Patient with HeartWare left ventricular Assist Device

Many centers reported positive outcome after left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implantation using a minimally invasive approach. The main drawback of this minimally invasive approach is the feasibility of right ventricular assist device (RVAD) implantation with direct cannulation of the pulmonary artery in cases of perioperative right ventricular failure (RVF). We report our experience with a 41-year-old male patient who was supported with a temporary RVAD using J-sternotomy approach for RVF after LVAD implantation. No technical issue was encountered, and the patient's condition stabilized immediately after RVAD implantation. However, several days later, the patient developed severe septic shock caused by pneumonia and died on the postoperative day 15 after RVAD implantation.