Njambou Mbakop T, Weyers P, Van de Steen E, Georis J N, Denis B, Bettendorf P
Service soins intensifs, CHU de Liège, domaine universitaire Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris). 2009 Aug;58(4):248-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ancard.2008.07.001. Epub 2008 Aug 19.
We report a case of a 71-year-old woman with carcinoid heart disease admitted in ICU after tricuspid valve replacement. She quickly developed a acute heart right failure. Optimal medical treatment failed and we implanted ventricular assistance. After 10 days of support, patient improved and the right ventricle recovered. Temporary devices can provide a successful bridge to cardiac recovery. However, the risk of infection that is a major prognosis factor should be carefully considered particularly when temporary assistance implanted on immunosuppressed patients.
