Implantable left-ventricular assist devices have been remarkably free of mechanical failures. We describe an uncommon Novacor N100 PC© LVAS malfunction caused by an internal short circuit of the device due to urine aspiration via the vent line. Device replacement was managed via a subcostal approach without sternotomy. Patient recovery was uneventful and successful transplantation was performed one month after the device exchange.
Implantable LVAD - Malfunction - Subcostal approach - Reimplantation
