Rehabilitation challenges in a patient with durable biventricular mechanical circulatory support: a case report

    Authors

    Keywords

    rehabilitation, biventricular mechanical circulatory support, physical therapy, heart failure

    DOI

    https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2022.334

    Full Text

    Cardiac cachexia and dyspnea are one of the leading symptoms in heart failure patients. ( 1 ) In 2017, 46-year-old man was diagnosed with severe ischemic biventricular cardiomyopathy together with other comorbidities. As a “bridge” to transplantation, in February 2018 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted, and due to the right heart failure right ventricular assist device (RVAD) was implanted in March 2018. On the twenty-first postoperative day, the patient was partially respiratory insufficient (SpO 2 91%), almost bedridden. Early mobilization and respiratory rehabilitation were delayed due to the volume overload, profuse and frequent epistasis due to the anticoagulant therapy, infections and the occurrence of left leg intramuscular hematoma. The patient was gradually verticalized, separated from the oxygen (SpO 2 96%) and discharged home in April 2018 hemodynamically stable, fully mobilized, properly anticoagulated and with stable pump parameters. During next 48 months, patient was independent in his everyday activities (6 minute walking test = 69%, 500m), without biventricular assist device (BiVAD) related complications. In March 2022 patient was hospitalized due to the right-sided hemiparesis and motor dysphasia caused by development of intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. After initial stabilization of the intracerebral bleeding, intensive physical therapy was carried out with gradual improvement of neurological deficits. Patient’s condition was also complicated by pneumonia and frequent RVAD alarms. In July 2022 patient was listed as an elective Eurotransplant candidate and was discharged home in good overall condition and fully mobile. In late August 2022, he was again admitted due to the worsening of dyspnea. At the admission, worsening of anemia and intermittent BiVADa low flow alarms were detected. His functional capacity was significantly reduced by the severe shortness of breath (SpO 2 95%), and his walking distance was only 40m. During the course of that hospitalization (September 2022), heart transplantation was performed. After the heart transplantation, patient was hemodynamically stable and soon being able to move independently. This is a valuable example of multidisciplinary team work focused on the preservation of patient’s hemodynamic stability and mobility.

    Cardiologia Croatica
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    Rehabilitation challenges in a patient with durable biventricular mechanical circulatory support: a case report

    Extended Abstract
    Issue9-10
    Published
    Pages334
    PDF via DOIhttps://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2022.334
    rehabilitation
    biventricular mechanical circulatory support
    physical therapy
    heart failure

    Authors

    Aleksandra Kraljević*ORCIDUniversity Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
    Matej TadejevićORCIDUniversity Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
    Vlatka RadoORCIDUniversity Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
    Dino GlavočevićORCIDUniversity Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Full Text

    Cardiac cachexia and dyspnea are one of the leading symptoms in heart failure patients. ( 1 ) In 2017, 46-year-old man was diagnosed with severe ischemic biventricular cardiomyopathy together with other comorbidities. As a “bridge” to transplantation, in February 2018 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted, and due to the right heart failure right ventricular assist device (RVAD) was implanted in March 2018. On the twenty-first postoperative day, the patient was partially respiratory insufficient (SpO 2 91%), almost bedridden. Early mobilization and respiratory rehabilitation were delayed due to the volume overload, profuse and frequent epistasis due to the anticoagulant therapy, infections and the occurrence of left leg intramuscular hematoma. The patient was gradually verticalized, separated from the oxygen (SpO 2 96%) and discharged home in April 2018 hemodynamically stable, fully mobilized, properly anticoagulated and with stable pump parameters. During next 48 months, patient was independent in his everyday activities (6 minute walking test = 69%, 500m), without biventricular assist device (BiVAD) related complications. In March 2022 patient was hospitalized due to the right-sided hemiparesis and motor dysphasia caused by development of intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. After initial stabilization of the intracerebral bleeding, intensive physical therapy was carried out with gradual improvement of neurological deficits. Patient’s condition was also complicated by pneumonia and frequent RVAD alarms. In July 2022 patient was listed as an elective Eurotransplant candidate and was discharged home in good overall condition and fully mobile. In late August 2022, he was again admitted due to the worsening of dyspnea. At the admission, worsening of anemia and intermittent BiVADa low flow alarms were detected. His functional capacity was significantly reduced by the severe shortness of breath (SpO 2 95%), and his walking distance was only 40m. During the course of that hospitalization (September 2022), heart transplantation was performed. After the heart transplantation, patient was hemodynamically stable and soon being able to move independently. This is a valuable example of multidisciplinary team work focused on the preservation of patient’s hemodynamic stability and mobility.