Early extubation after left ventricular assist device implantation in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a case report

Management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cardiomyopathy is increasingly important for the survival of these patients. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an alternative treatment for refractory heart failure in DMD. A 20-year-old man with DMD and dilated cardiomyopathy underwent surgery for LVAD implantation. Respiratory failure may occur due to muscle weakness after surgery under general anesthesia in patients with DMD, and weaning from mechanical ventilation may be delayed or difficult. Considering the application of fast-track anesthesia (FTA), preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation which includes thoracic expansion exercise, air stacking exercise with manual resuscitation bag and manually assisted cough technique, hight-frequency chest wall oscillation, and mechanical insufflation–exsufflation was performed. We report on a patient with DMD in whom FTA and early extubation within 6 h after LVAD implantation was successfully performed without complications.