[A case of acute right ventricular infarction and life-saving right ventricular assistance following emergency coronary revascularization and resection of a left ventricular aneurysm--discussion of indication and proper assist flow volume].

Right ventricular assistance (RVA) using centrifugal pump in combination with IABP was used to treat a patient who was difficult to wean from a cardiopulmonary bypass following emergency coronary revascularization and resection of a ventricular aneurysm performed to treat acute right ventricular infarction due to a PTCA complication. After 131 hours of RVA at 3.2 to 4.8 l/min, it was possible to remove the pump. No heparin was administered during this time, changing the pump head twice, was used for 64 and 50 hour period, no thrombi were detected either time. After being weaned from RVA, the patient developed severe respiratory dysfunction, but on the 10th postoperative day (POD) IABP was weaned, and on the 13th POD the artificial respirator was withdrawn. The results of the postoperative cardiac catheterization were favorable, the patient was discharged on the 57th POD, and has returned to society at the present time. The indications for RVA include a central venous pressure > 20 mmHg and a cardiac index < 1.8 l/min/m2, and tissue perfusion pressure and general preoperative condition should severe as guides. The higher the assisted flow volume the more efficacious in relieving ventricular load, but, since there is a limit to how much the left ventricle and lungs can withstand, it should not exceed levels which ensure the maintainance of cardiac output and tissue perfusion pressure.