Heartmate implantable left ventricular assist device

A 19-year-old male with acute myocarditis, cardiogenic shock, and impending multiple organ failure successfully underwent emergency implantation of a HeartMate 1000 IP left ventricular assist device. The perioperative course was uneventful and his condition improved. After 14 weeks his cardiac function gradually recovered and heart transplantation was no longer considered necessary. The left ventricular assist device was explanted. Two weeks later the patient suffered a sudden onset of ventricular fibrillation and died in spite of aggressive resuscitation measures. Questions concerning the future use of such assist devices in patients with cardiomyopathy are discussed.