Cracked acrylic ventricular assist devices after using a Doppler stethoscope and ultrasound transmission gel to predict impending pump failure: a case report.

At Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, bi-ventricular assist devices were placed in a patient after failure to wean from bypass. These acrylic devices are known to be used for post cardiotomy failure. Acrylics and other plastics are used in extracorporeal circuitry. Plastics have been known to crack when exposed to certain chemicals and conditions. This case describes the use of ultrasound transmission gel as another ingredient that causes cracking of centrifugal assist devices made of acrylic plastic.