Isolated right ventricular assist for postcardiotomy myocardial infarction

Due to myocardial infarction, profound postcardiotomy right heart failure developed in a 57-year-old man after implantation of an aortic homograft for infective aortic valve endocarditis. Despite maximum medical therapy and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, signs of endorgan injury developed, and therefore a Thoratec (Pleasanton, CA) right ventricular assist device was implanted. After 17 days of support, myocardial and endorgan function had recovered and the fully mobilized patient was successfully weaned from support and discharged from the hospital.