Discussion
To our knowledge, this is one of the first examples of a case where a Heartmate3 device has been decommissioned and left complete in situ on the left side of the heart. Ina previous trials with Heartmate 2 (Abbott), patients were weaned off their devices and subsequently underwent explant procedures with the removal of the pre-peritoneal pump, often with abandoning but oversewing of inflow and/or outflow grafts(7).
Myocardial recovery following LVAD implantation is a known albeit infrequent occurrence(7). However, with increasing utilization of mechanical support devices, this will likely increase. In patients demonstrating cardiac recovery with functional LVAD, weaning protocols have been developed confirming suitability for liberation from a device with subsequent surgical explantation in appropriate cases(7).