A Novel, Catheter-Based Approach to Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation After Myocardial Recovery

We describe a case of catheter-based embolization and deactivation of a left ventricular assist device using an Amplatzer plug for a patient demonstrating myocardial recovery after diagnosis of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. This procedure can provide a minimally invasive, low morbidity solution for patients wishing to be separated from left ventricular assist device support who want to avoid invasive surgery for device removal. (C) 2014 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons