Minimally invasive embolectomy of HeartWare left ventricular assist device outflow graft

Nowadays permanent mechanical circulatory support is a common treatment option for end-stage heart failure. Due to a shortage of donor heart transplantation not always being available for the patient in need to get life-saving treatment, a left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is a suitable treatment option to overcome long waiting times on the transplant waiting list (1). Despite the technical evolution and better understanding of LVAD, there are still drawbacks in treating patients with an LVAD. Typical complications are bleeding complications, infections, right heart failure, and the risk of thrombus formation, which can lead to a device failure with a hemodynamic instability of the patient (2).