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Percutaneous closure of an atrial septostomy at the time of LVAD implantation is a viable alternative to an open-surgical closure and can facilitate a minimally invasive approach to LVAD insertion.
A 41-year-old man with a history of nonischemic cardiomyopathy presented with symptoms of worsening heart failure and was found to have an ejection fraction of 5% to 10% with global hypokinesis. He was transferred to our medical center for further management of cardiogenic shock. Despite escalating inotropic support, he continued to decompensate with progressive hypoxemia and worsening end-organ perfusion. He was intubated and peripherally cannulated for venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). He developed refractory pulmonary edema (Figure 1, A and B) while on VA-ECMO and underwent a percutaneous balloon atrial septostomy with a 22-mm × 4-cm Atlas Gold balloon (Bard, Tempe, Ariz). Cardiac catheterization demonstrated an elevated left atrial pressure (24 mm Hg) before septostomy with a decrease to 10 mm Hg postseptostomy. His pulmonary edema subsequently resolved (Figure 1, C) and he was considered an appropriate candidate for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion.
Figure 1Chest radiographs showing (A) mild pulmonary edema in a patient suffering from decompensated congestive heart failure before placement on VA-ECMO, (B) pulmonary edema after placement on VA-ECMO, (C) resolving pulmonary edema after atrial septostomy, and (D) clear lung fields after left ventricular assist device insertion and closure of septostomy.
LVAD insertion was performed in a hybrid operating room. A median upper hemisternotomy was performed in an “L” configuration to the right third intercostal space and the pericardium was opened. A left anterior minithoracotomy incision was created, and the left chest was entered in the fifth intercostal space. At this point, the patient underwent successful atrial septostomy closure with a 15-mm Amplatzer Septal Occluder (Abbott, St Paul, Minn) via the left femoral vein using an 8-French delivery system under fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. As venous was being obtained in the left common femoral vein, ECMO flow was briefly turned down to 2 L/min and then full flows were resumed.
After the septostomy was closed, VA-ECMO was then converted to full cardiopulmonary bypass. A vent was inserted into the left ventricle, the apical core was resected, and a HeartWare HVAD (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) was inserted. A partial occlusion clamp was placed on the ascending aorta and an aortotomy was created. The outflow graft of the HeartWare HVAD was positioned appropriately according to length and orientation. It was beveled and then anastomosed to the ascending aorta with a running suture. The clamp was removed and a needle was used to de-air the graft. The patient was weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass while LVAD support was progressively increased without complications. Good right ventricular function, LVAD inflow position, and LV decompression were noted on transesophageal echocardiography.
The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Transthoracic echocardiography on postoperative day 5 demonstrated appropriate LV unloading and no flow across the atrial septum. Routine computed tomography scan showed appropriate inflow cannula positioning and the septal occluder in place (Figure 2). The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14. Another transthoracic echocardiography a month from discharge showed no flow across the atrial septum. The patient continues to do well at 6-month follow-up.
Figure 2(A) Computed tomography image with atrial septal occluder placed at time of minimally invasive LVAD implantation. (B) Three-dimensional reconstruction computed tomography image showing atrial septal occluder (1) and LVAD (2) in place.
Because of its ease of insertion, as well as its ability to provide both hemodynamic support and gas exchange, VA-ECMO may be beneficial to patients in cardiogenic shock.
However, LV distension is a recognized complication that can lead to pulmonary edema, increased wall stress, and increased myocardial oxygen consumption. LV decompression with an atrial septostomy can lead to resolution of pulmonary edema.
Generally, atrial septal defects are closed surgically at the time of LVAD implantation through a median sternotomy. In other cases, percutaneous closure has been used when they are discovered postoperatively.
Although percutaneous closure of septal defects may prevent the need for full sternotomy, one potential disadvantage is the added cost of the closure device.
A minimally invasive approach to LVAD insertion may offer potential benefits, including reduced surgical trauma, less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and better maintenance of right ventricular function.
Implantation of a centrifugal pump as a left ventricular assist device through a novel, minimized approach: upper hemisternotomy combined with anterolateral thoracotomy.
Further investigation is clearly required confirm these benefits. To our knowledge, this case represents the first description of percutaneous closure of an atrial septostomy at the time of LVAD insertion. Furthermore, the case presented here demonstrates that creation of an atrial septostomy to allow LV decompression during VA ECMO is not prohibitive to a minimally invasive approach to LVAD insertion and that percutaneous transcatheter closure of an atrial septostomy can be safely performed at the time of LVAD insertion to facilitate a minimally invasive approach.
References
Squiers J.J.
Lima B.
DiMaio J.M.
Contemporary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy in adults: fundamental principles and systematic review of the evidence.
Implantation of a centrifugal pump as a left ventricular assist device through a novel, minimized approach: upper hemisternotomy combined with anterolateral thoracotomy.
We read with interest the article by Quan and colleagues.1 The authors report on a 41-year-old man with advanced cardiomyopathy complicated with cardiogenic shock that was successfully treated. The article highlights 2 aspects: (1) the concomitant execution of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation and a transvenous atrial septostomy; and (2) in a delayed surgical procedure, the insertion of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (HeartWare HVAD, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) using minimal access surgery (left median type upper ministernotomy and a left anterior minithoracotomy) in association with a percutaneous atrial septal closure with a 15-mm Amplatzer (Abbott, St Paul, Minn) septal occluder.
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a well-established mode of mechanical circulatory support for patients with cardiopulmonary collapse. With rapid peripheral initiation, it can restore perfusion and oxygenation effectively, mitigate further end-organ injuries, and serve as a bridge to a more durable platform.1 In our experience, nearly 80% of patients who were rescued with VA-ECMO before transitioning to ventricular assist device (VAD) or heart transplantation were alive at 1 year.
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