CASE REPORT
Successful repeated thrombolysis in a patient with HeartWare thrombosis – the importance of Doppler flow pattern

Case report

Device thrombosis is one of the most dangerous complications after left ventricular assist device implantation (LVAD) despite adequate anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.
Here we present a case of a patient who has currently been more than 32 months on LVAD support with recurrent HeartWare LVAD thrombosis, a postoperative pump exchange and repeated thrombolysis of the device. The 48-year-old female obese patient (BMI 42) with a history of depressive episodes was admitted to our hospital with the clinical picture of decompensated congestive heart failure and suspicion of device dysfunction 14 months after implantation of a HeartWare LVAD (HeartWare International, Inc, Framingham, MA, USA) for destination therapy as she was initially not a suitable candidate for heart transplantation. The initial postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was doing well for 14 months. Subsequently she presented with signs of congestive heart failure and a history of a recent international normalized ratio (INR) incompliance period. Indeed, significant variations of the INR levels were observed on the days prior to hospital admission. Clinical examination and diagnostic results confirmed the initial diagnosis of device thrombosis. After a careful analysis of the therapeutic options and an intensive discussion with the patient, a surgical pump exchange was recommended. The surgical pump exchange was performed successfully and a thrombus was found inside the device. The patient recovered well from surgery, the postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged from hospital.
Five months later the patient presented with symptoms of heart failure and signs of pump thrombosis. After carefully estimating the risk of a second surgical pump exchange, we decided to perform a systemic thrombolysis using tenecteplase on a body weight basis [1]. The maximum dose of 10 000 units (50 mg) of tenecteplase was administered as a single intravenous bolus in 5 to 10 seconds. Infusion of heparin was titrated to maintain an activated partial prothrombin time of 50 to 60 seconds. The antiplatelet therapy was continued after thrombolysis. The clinical symptoms of heart failure of the patient improved within hours, and biochemical parameters returned to normal.
Three months later the patient presented again with a history of another episode of INR incompliance. Levels of free hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase were elevated significantly. At this time an intensive discussion about therapeutic options was held with the patient, and a repeat surgical pump exchange was recommended. However, the patient refused repeat surgery, and therefore a systemic thrombolysis was performed again successfully using 10 000 units of tenecteplase. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged from the hospital. She was doing well for the next six months until the last admission.
Having done well for six months the patient was again readmitted to the hospital with the picture of congestive heart failure and suspicion of pump thrombosis. In addition, an increase of free hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase levels was noted (Table I). On echocardiographic examination, marked dilation of the left ventricle and a regular opening movement of the aortic valve were seen (Fig. 1A), and the diastolic flow velocity in the outflow cannula was significantly decreased (Fig. 2A). Taken together, clinical examination and diagnostic results confirmed our initial diagnosis of device thrombosis. This time the patient refused surgery again, and we decided to perform thrombolysis for the third time with 10 000 units of tenecteplase. The clinical status of the patient improved, and 24 hours after initiation of therapy levels of free hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase decreased (Table I). On echocardiographic examination a decrease of the left ventricular diameter and intermittent opening of the aortic valve were noted (Fig. 1B). The diastolic velocity of flow pattern in the outflow cannula increased significantly (Fig. 2B). The patient was discharged uneventfully after 5 days and remains stable after 6 months.
The diagnosis of pump-associated thrombosis is a challenging one, and in most cases it is made on a clinical basis (heart failure, hemolysis, increase of free hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase levels) or by analyzing the device parameters (pump rotor speed, increase of power consumption, reduction of pulsatility index, abnormal reduction or increase of VAD flow, differing from the patient’s baseline). A transthoracic echocardiographic examination especially analyzing the Doppler flow pattern can be useful in early diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of pump thrombosis [2]. After the diagnosis of device thrombosis is established there are two possible treatment options: surgery or thrombolytic therapy. The first option includes heart transplantation or surgical pump exchange, the second systemic or local thrombolytic therapy. However, even the high-urgent (HU) heart transplantation is not a real option nowadays because of an excessively long waiting time. In our experience, whenever possible, a surgical pump exchange should be the primary method of choice for device thrombosis as it is the only therapeutic option ensuring complete removal of the thrombus. However, the surgical pump exchange with or without cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with mortality or complications such as bleeding or wound infection. This procedure was also performed during the first episode of device thrombosis in this patient, and it has been shown by our group that it can be performed safely with acceptable risk for the patient [3]. The off-pump exchange seems to be associated with a smaller operative risk [3], but its disadvantage is the obstructed and reduced vision inside the left ventricular cavity to rule out ventricular thrombi. However, numbers of treated patients are still fairly small, and therefore a final recommendation on which strategy is the superior approach is not possible at this time. Under special circumstances such as in this case even a repeat thrombolytic therapy can be performed effectively under tightly controlled conditions. Its side effects are major bleeding, hypercoagulability and recurrence of thrombosis as reported several times in the literature [4-6]. However, there is no clear evidence in favor of local vs. systemic thrombolysis, as both methods have systemic side effects and local administration carries a significant risk of catheter ingestion in the device. The special situation of our patient and the fact that she refused repeat surgery left us with the only option to perform a repeat thrombolysis during the following episodes of device thrombosis. At this stage it is unclear whether thrombosis recurrence was caused by insufficient thrombolysis or by a low INR level prior to each episode of thrombosis and hospital admission.
Finally, as of today we have managed to continue support in spite of triple thrombolysis without serious complications for another 15 months since the pump exchange. During this time the patient’s compliance has improved, she has lost 15 kg in body weight, and her psychological status has improved. She now has a realistic chance to become a transplant candidate.

Conclusions

Here we have demonstrated that early diagnosis using echocardiography, careful INR management and appropriate treatment are the keys to successful long-term LVAD patient support. As there is currently no clear evidence which method of treatment is superior for the patient, decisions should be made on an individual basis such as in our case. Therefore, even under these circumstances with a postoperative surgical pump exchange and repeated systemic thrombolysis, the patient could be discharged successfully and finally did well.

Disclosure

Authors report no conflict of interest.

References

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