Hemolysis from Aortic Regurgitation Mimicking Pump Thrombosis in a Patient with a HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device

• DOI: 10.1097/mat.0b013e31824708a8
• Publication Date: 2012-01-26T08:56:37Z
• Authors: Radha S. Gopalan; Francisco A. Arabia; Pierre Noel; Krishnaswamy Chan...
• Keywords: Male; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Humans; Thrombosis; Heart-Assist Devices; Middle Aged; Hemolysis; 3. Good health

Device-related hemolysis leading to anemia is a recognized chronic complication of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). With the increased usage of the LVAD in the management of end-stage heart failure, an increased number of complications are being recognized. We present a case where a combination of elevated mean arterial pressure and development of aortic regurgitation resulted in increased hemolysis, power spikes, and anemia, mimicking device thrombus, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma.