TRANSIENT NORMALIZATION OF SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC FUNCTION AFTER SUPPORT WITH A LEFT-VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE IN A PATIENT WITH DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

A 19-year-old man who had fulminant heart failure caused by an idiopat hic dilated cardiomyopathy was supported with a left ventricular assis t device for 183 days as a bridge to heart transplantation. At the tim e of intended transplantation it was noted that the patient's heart ha d returned to normal size, had a normal ejection fraction, and was abl e to maintain normal pressures and flows. In view of the apparent reco very of cardiac properties, the left ventricular assist device was exp lanted and the transplantation was not performed. However, the heart d ilated, ejection fraction worsened, and the patient died of heart fail ure exacerbated acutely by a systemic viral illness. Although such rec overy of systolic function is uncommon, as use of left ventricular ass ist devices becomes more widespread other physicians might encounter s imilar findings and, in this regard, they might find our experience us eful as they contemplate their treatment options.