Rapid ventricular remodeling with left ventricular unloading postventricular assist device placement: new insights with strain imaging

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2006 Mar;19(3):355.e9-355.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2005.11.010.

Abstract

We report the case of a 6-year old girl who presented with severe dilated cardiomyopathy. Cross-sectional echocardiography demonstrated a severely dilated hypokinetic left ventricle with an ejection fraction less than 10%. She developed intractable ventricular tachyarrhythmias and subsequently had a left ventricular assist device implanted. Within 1 week of mechanical support, echocardiography demonstrated dramatic reverse remodeling of the left ventricle with marked improvement in myocardial deformation using strain rate imaging. This report further highlights the potential for rapid remodeling after mechanical support of the failing myocardium.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / complications
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / surgery*
  • Child
  • Echocardiography, Doppler / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Recovery of Function
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / complications
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / surgery*
  • Ventricular Remodeling*