Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in a patient with left ventricular assist device implantation

Abstract

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a devastating complication after cardiac surgery. Once patients develop NOMI, intra-mesenteric infusion of vasodilators and/or emergent laparotomy is usually required, but the mortality is extraordinarily high even with intensive treatment. We present a case of salvage of a patient with NOMI complicated with severe right ventricular dysfunction after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation using maximum treatment with emergent laparotomy and temporary right ventricular assist device implantation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first successful salvage case of NOMI in a LVAD patient. We believe that hemodynamic optimization using maximum treatment is critically important to achieve salvage.

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