JARVIK 2000 Implantation in Adolescent Heart: A Transesophageal Echo Experience

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have gained widespread use as an effective clinical therapy for patients with heart failure (INTERMACS 1-5) and are the standard of care for bridging patients to cardiac transplantation. Pre-implantation transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows interrogation of all cardiac structures and identifies potential problems such as intracardiac shunts, thrombi, aortic insufficiency, and right ventricular dysfunction that need palliation. Post-implantation exam helps in weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and successful LVAD initiation. ICU monitoring with TEE guides optimal intervention and should be considered in selected patients. TEE will continue to remain vital to successful outcomes in LVAD patients.