Bi-ventricular circulatory support with the Abiomed AB5000 system in a patient with idiopathic refractory ventricular fibrillation.

A 45-year-old man had life-threatening recurrent idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and persistent cardiogenic shock develop. The episodes of ventricular fibrillation were refractory to aggressive medical management; therefore an Abiomed AB5000 bi-ventricular support system was implanted for arrhythmia control. The device was able to maintain hemodynamic stability during the following 2 weeks. The patient was discharged from the hospital with fully recovered cardiac function.