Breaking the ice with ICE
- Charlene Rohm,
- Brian Howard,
- Baqir Lakhani,
- Marian Wilim,
- Rachel Waters,
- David Snipelisky
Abstract
Aortic insufficiency with recirculation syndrome can be a difficult
diagnosis to make in patients with continuous flow left ventricular
assist devices as it is generally underestimated by traditional
transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography can
also underestimate aortic insufficiency and requires general anesthesia,
which can be prohibitive in some cases. This case study demonstrates a
novel use of intracardiac echocardiography to evaluate for and
troubleshoot complications associated with continuous flow left
ventricular assist devices. Intracardiac echocardiography was able to
rule out aortic insufficiency in our patient, thereby preventing
unnecessary procedures such as a valvular intervention.