A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump used to support heart function and blood flow in people who have weakened hearts. For selected patients who are too ill to wait for a heart transplant or are not eligible for a heart transplant because of age or other medical problems, ventricular assist devices offer life-saving therapy. This device has also become a life-saving approach for patients with acute viral myocarditis. Following the acute illness phase, when heart function has improved, the VAD is carefully removed. It is very important to continuously monitor myocardial functions during this period. In this paper, we present a case that was monitored with cardiac output and transesophageal echocardiography during the VAD removal operation.
Keywords: Anaesthesia, cardiac output, mechanical circulatory support, ventricular assist device