A novel system of assessing myocardial recovery during left ventricular support: report of a case.

The criteria for device removal and prediction of sustained recovery are still unclear in the bridge to myocardial recovery strategy using the left ventricular assist system (LVAS). We report the case of an 11-year-old boy with dilated cardiomyopathy, who was successfully weaned off LVAS after 4 months of support. Although the recovery of his left ventricular function was marginal, with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40%, and a left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of 53 mm, we decided on its removal because an LVAS-off test showed well-maintained diastolic function. No signs of deterioration in LV function have been seen in the 4 months since removal of the device.