Diagnosis of biventricular assist device inflow cannula obstruction.

A case of an echocardiographic diagnosis of biventricular assist device inflow cannula obstruction, associated with low cardiac output in a 29-years old male with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe congestive heart failure is presented. The reasons for low cardiac output in patients supported with ventricular assist devices and the role of transoesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of device failure are briefly discussed.