CARDIAC ALLOGRAFT FAILURE - SUCCESSFUL USE OF BIVENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

Nonspecific primary allograft dysfunction is an important cause of per ioperative death in cardiac transplant recipients. We report a case of severe nonspecific allograft dysfunction that was ultimately reversib le after 18 days of biventricular mechanical circulatory support. Allo graft recovery was echocardiographically recognized by a positive inot ropic response to isoproterenol and milrinone. This case illustrates t he potential for recovery of even extreme allograft dysfunction.