SAFE APPLICATION OF DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY DURING BIVENTRICULAR ASSISTANCE

We performed diagnostic laparoscopy in a patient who was critically un stable while on an ABIOMED BVS 5000 biventricular assist system. A rel atively unique feature of the ABIOMED is the venous return being depen dent only on gravity and the drawing force of venous return being the height of the inflow cannula compared with the level of the ABIOMED bl ood pump assembly; this did not preclude the use of pneumoperitoneum n ecessary for laparoscopy. The safe application of diagnostic laparosco py in patients on a ventricular assist device is of importance in an e ra of increasing use of these devices and the increased potential for intraabdominal complications in this population.