Pimobendan in Chronic Right Heart Failure in a Left Ventricular Assist Device Patient

Abstract

We report the case of a 76-year-old patient who developed chronic right heart failure 1 year after left ventricular assist device implantation due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. Initial recompensation was achieved through dobutamin, sildenafil, and levosimendan treatment. Yet, discharge was successful only after the off-label use of the oral calcium sensitizer pimobendan. Ten months after discharge, the patient presents with no clinical signs of right heart failure and significantly improved right heart function without any impairment in quality of life.

Keywords

circulatory assist devices - heart failure - right ventricle

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