Novel application of Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy for massive thrombosis of the native aortic valve and Jarvick 2000 ventricular assist device in a patient with end-stage heart failure.

With the diffusion of implantable ventricular assist pumps in heart failure patients refractory to treatments or ineligible to transplantation, acute aortic valve and device thrombosis is an unusual but potentially increasing complication. We report a novel application of Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy for acute and massive thrombosis of the native aortic valve and of the left ventricular assist device in a heart failure patient. The technical execution and clinical experience with this technique is described.