Asymptomatic ventricular fibrillation in peripartum cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular assist device

We present a 43-year-old woman with peripartum cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and recalcitrant right-sided heart failure who presented with unsuccessful defibrillator shocks. The patient was asymptomatic while in persistent VF for over 4 hours. Echocardiography showed the heart to be in asystole. We hypothesize that a combination of chronic right heart failure and LVAD kept her asymptomatic. Patients supported with LVAD can survive prolonged periods with VF.PMID:33456193 | PMC:PMC7785202 | DOI:10.1080/08998280.2020.1829947
Source: Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Source Type: research