Use of Jarvik 2000 left ventricular assist device for treating acutely decompensated heart failure.

A 57-year-old patient experienced acute decompensation of heart failure and pulmonary oedema (Fig. 1). Off-pump implantation of Jarvik 2000 was performed as a salvage procedure as well as bridge to transplantation with immediate clinical improvement (Fig. 2). Use of a short-term VAD for symptomatic relief can be avoided. Fig. 1. Chest roentgenogram showing a heart with idiopathic dilated cardio-myopathy and acute pulmonary oedema. Biventricular pacemaker was implemented for cardiac resynchronisation therapy. Fig. 2. Chest roentgenogram immediately post implantation of a Jarvik 2000 LVAD through a left thoracotomy (LV apex-descending aorta) with a cardiac output of the left ventricle about 4.5 l showing regression of pulmonary congestion.