Migration of a HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device

Abstract

A 38-year-old man with a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath 6 months after receiving a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD; Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA). The patient had volume overload with elevated jugular venous pressure, edema, and bilateral rales. The pump speed was set at 9000 rpm, and the power was 6.5 W. His lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, which had been 350 to 450 IU/L, increased to 450 to 650 IU/L, and his creatinine level had increased from 1.7 to 2.0 mg/dL. Because the patient had shortness of breath, the pump speed was increased …