Mechanical mitral prosthesis with a short-term left ventricular assist device.

Mechanical circulatory support with ventricular assist devices in patients with mechanical valvular prostheses may predispose to thromboembolic and hemodynamic complications. Conventional approaches to reduce these risks involve redo valve replacement to a bioprosthesis. Careful management of the ventricular assist device to allow flow across the prosthesis may obviate the need for redo valve replacement. Avoidance of further myocardial ischemia during redo valve replacement carries particular importance for patients in whom the aim is recovery. We report a successful outcome from retention of a mechanical mitral prosthesis during a 10-day period of mechanical circulatory support and review the pertinent literature.