CARDIOVASCULAR
ENGINEERING

Official Publication of the World Artificial Organ, Immunology and Transplantation Society (WAITS)

Volume 10, 2005, No 1

Successful Heart Transplantation after Mechanical Circulatory Support with the POLCAS® System in a Case of Cardiogenic Shock due to Idiopathic Giant-Cell Myocarditis (IGCM)
R. R. Favaloro, S. V. Perrone, F. R. Klein, P. Klin, C. B. Gómez, J. Abud, G. Blanco, P. Comignani, O. Ferro

A 28 years old (y o) male patient (p.) with a previous record of ulcerative colitis and a Pouch procedure, developed acute biventricular failure secondary to IGCM followed by refractory cardiogenic shock associated with pulmonary hypertension and severe ventricular arrhythmia. Despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy with intravenous (iv) methylprednisolone succinate, inotropes (dopamine, dobutamine, milrinone) and antiarrhythmic drugs (lidocaine, amiodarone, iv magnesium sulphate) the p. worsened his condition and paracorporeal pneumatic biventricular support (BVS) with the POLCAS ® system was established under an emergency basis. Gram bacteriemia was controlled under iv antibiotic therapy. A minor transient ischemic attack developed on day 8 after BVS. After 16 days of BVS with the POLVAS system (POLVAD-II) the p. underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and was discharged from the hospital uneventfully on day 21 after OHT.

(CVE. 2005; 10 (1): 18-19)

Key words: giant-cell myocarditis, mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation

R. R. Favaloro
Favaloro Foundation
Av Belgrano 1746
Capital Federal 1093
Argentina
E-mail: rfavaloro@ffavaloro.org