Successful Conversion of TandemHeart Left Ventricular Assist Device to Right Ventricular Assist Device After Implantation of a HeartMate XVE

A 60-year-old man with end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction, 10%) was admitted in cardiogenic shock, which was unresponsive to maximum inotropes and an intraaortic balloon pump. The TandemHeart (TH) left ventricular assist device (Cardiac Assist Inc, Pittsburgh, PA) was placed in the standard percutaneous transseptal configuration with improved hemodynamics. The HeartMate XVE (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) implantation was performed as a bridge to transplant 5 days after TandemHeart insertion. The TandemHeart was converted to a temporary right ventricular assist device during the HeartMate XVE (Thoratec Corp) implantation due to right ventricular failure. The right ventricular assist device was weaned 3 days later. This strategy was useful, technically easy, and cost effective.