Left ventricular assist device exchange from HeartMate II to HeartMate 3 in an Asian patient—a case report and literature review

Background: Pump exchange surgery of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been demonstrated in several studies; however, information for Asian patients was limited. Case presentation: A 63-year-old man underwent a pump upgrade from HeartMate II to HeartMate 3 for driveline damage through limited left anterior thoracotomy and lower partial sternotomy. He did not experience any hemodynamic adverse events or device malfunction during postoperative follow-ups of 12 months. We also reviewed all published cases with HeartMate II exchange to HeartMate 3. Conclusions: The case demonstrated that it was safe and feasible to perform HMII LVAD exchange to HM3 through a limited approach for Asian patients.