Acute clinical deterioration in a patient with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular thrombus formation

The case of a 17-year-old male patient with severe end-stage dilated cardio myopathy and a large thrombus formation within the cavum of the left ventri cle is reported. After an acute thrombectomia combined with a partial left ventriculectomy (Batista procedure), the patient was successfully treated w ith an appropriate left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system using a cen trifugal nonocclusive pump (Biomedicus, Medtronic, Anaheim, CA, U.S.A.). Me chanical support was removed on Day 9, and the patient was discharged from the hospital on Day 19. The effectiveness of emergency mechanical sup port in patients with very unfavorable prognoses is discussed.