Successful thrombectomy for acute coronary thromboembolism during Heartmate II ventricular support.

Complications of hemostasis account for the most common adverse events during continuous-flow ventricular assist device support for advanced heart failure. Successful management of acute coronary thromboembolism during HeartMateII device support has not been described in the literature. We present a case of acute coronary thromboembolism of the left main trunk associated with angina and ventricular tachycardia, successfully treated with aspiration and rheolytic thrombectomy and systemic anticoagulation. The postprocedural management of acute coronary syndromes during axial flow ventricular assist device recipients may be complicated by disorders of primary hemostasis and a long-term tendency for bleeding.