Proof of Concept: Trans-atrial AngioVac Aspiration of Mitral Valve Thrombosis in a COVID-19 Patient.

In patients with a prohibitive surgical risk, the AngioVac cannula can be used to remove left-sided cardiac masses, as an off-label adaptation of the device. We herein describe a novel micro-invasive approach to gain access to the left atrium for the aspiration of a mitral valve mass in a patient affected by severe coronavirus disease 2019. Through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy, the right superior pulmonary vein was accessed and used to insert the aspiration cannula. A parallel venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-like circuit provided circulatory and respiratory support to ensure proper intra- and postoperative hemodynamic stabilization.

Navigating the Heart. The Evolution of the AngioVac System in a Single-center Experience.

We investigated the efficacy, safety, and versatility of the AngioVac (AngioDynamics, Latham, NY) system for the treatment of intravascular and intracardiac masses of different origins. We prospectively enrolled all consecutive patients treated with the AngioVac system between July-2016 and November-2021 at our institution. Three configurations of the device were adopted in 44 patients: a venous-venous circuit in 21 cases (47.7%), a venous-arterial ECMO-like configuration in 20 (45.5%), and a venous-arterial-arterial circuit with 2 centrifugal pumps for left-sided cardiac masses in 3 (6.8%). Successful removal of the mass was achieved in 41 patients (93.2%), while in the other cases conversion to full sternotomy was necessary. Intraoperative complications occurred in 3 cases (6.8%), including 1 death, 1 pulmonary embolization, and 1 cardiac perforation. The AngioVac system is a valid, safe, and versatile option for the treatment of intravascular masses also in patients with prohibitive surgical risk.