ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To highlight the role of percutaneous left ventricular assist device (LVAD) decommissioning as a safe procedure after myocardial recovery in patients with advanced heart failure. BACKGROUND: The HeartMate3 LVAD (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) is designed to provide circulatory support with enhanced hemocompatibility for patients with advanced heart failure. Most VADs are used as a bridge to heart transplantation; however, in certain cases, myocardial function recovers, and VADs can be explanted after the patient is weaned. Although surgical explantation remains the gold standard, minimally invasive percutaneous decommissioning has been described as a successful alternative. In this study, we present our experience, one-year outcomes, and adverse events associated with percutaneous LVAD decommissioning. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of data from six consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous LVAD decommissioning. RESULTS: Six patients were enrolled in the study. For all six patients, HM3 decommissioning was completed at least 6 months ago. No technical complications were documented. No strokes were observed within the study period, and the ejection fraction improved. The mean follow-up duration was 18 ± 8.5 months, and the survival rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous HeartMate3 decommissioning appears to be safe. In particular, the survival after the procedure was 100%, and no events, especially thromboembolic ones, occurred.
