Aortic Root Thrombus After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Aortic Valve Replacement
Jesse F. Veenis, Jasper J. Brugts, Yunus C. Yalcin, Stefan Roest, Jos A. Bekkers, Olivier C. Manintveld, Alina A. Constantinescu, Ad J.J.C. Bogers, Felix Zijlstra, Kadir Çalişkan
Abstract
Data on the risk of aortic root thrombosis in patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery are scarce. Two out of nine patients receiving AVR concomitant with LVAD surgery and two out of two patients receiving AVR on LVAD support, at our centre, developed an aortic root thrombus, all diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) angiography. These results demonstrate that patients with concomitant AVR and LVAD surgery, or AVR on LVAD support, have an increased risk of aortic root thrombosis. Therefore, early anti-thrombotic therapy and vigilant diagnostic follow-up, using CT scans, are warranted to prevent thromboembolic events.