THE USE OF AN IMPLANTABLE LEFT-VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE IN A PATIENTWITH CARDIOGENIC-SHOCK FOLLOWING ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

We report the successful long-term use of an implantable left ventricu lar assist device in a 42-year old patient who suffered cardiogenic sh ock after an acute anterior myocardial infarction unresponsive to reca nalisation of the infarct-related artery and intra-aortic balloon coun terpulsation. Attempts to wean our patient from the assist device were not successful and the patient underwent cardiac transplantation afte r 35 weeks on device assistance. The intermediate and long-term use of an implantable left ventricular assist device may be lifesaving in po st-myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock and may allow sufficient ti me for any stunned myocardium to recover. Should there be no recovery, the device acts as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. (C) 1998 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd.