# Three different indications for left ventricular unloading in one patient with severe heart failure

**Authors:** Thomas Gausepohl, Ulrike Flierl, Vera Garcheva, Marcel Ricklefs, Bernd Schwedhelm, Johann Bauersachs, Tobias J. Pfeffer, Andreas Schäfer

PMC · DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2026.100716 · American Heart Journal Plus: Cardiology Research and Practice · 2026-01-09

## TL;DR

A patient with severe heart failure successfully used a microaxial pump three times for different medical needs without complications.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the safe and repeated use of a microaxial pump for multiple clinical indications in a single patient.

## Key findings

- The mAFP provided hemodynamic stabilization during acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock.
- The device supported successful ventricular tachycardia ablation without complications.
- The pump ensured stable perioperative care during a high-risk thyroidectomy.

## Abstract

The percutaneous microaxial flow pump (mAFP) is an established mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device for cardiogenic shock (CS) and can also stabilize hemodynamics during cardiac and noncardiac procedures. This case series describes the safety and feasibility of repeated mAFP use for three indications in a single patient.

We retrospectively reviewed three consecutive mAFP deployments in one patient enrolled in the Hannover-Cardiac-Unloading-REgistry between October 2021 and August 2023. Indications included acute myocardial infarction–related CS (AMI-CS), ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation one year later, and elective thyroidectomy for amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism another year later.

A 62-year-old patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy (initial LVEF 34%) achieved hemodynamic stabilisation during AMI-CS, successful protected VT ablation without compromise, and stable perioperative support during thyroidectomy. No major adverse events occurred.

Repeated mAFP use for AMI-CS, VT ablation, and high-risk surgery was feasible and safe, supporting its versatility in complex clinical care.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** cardiogenic shock (MONDO:0800175), ventricular tachycardia (MONDO:0005477)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** ischemic cardiomyopathy (MESH:D009202), acute myocardial infarction (MESH:D009203), heart failure (MESH:D006333), VT (MESH:D017180), CS (MESH:D012770), hyperthyroidism (MESH:D006980)
- **Chemicals:** amiodarone (MESH:D000638)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12830286/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12830286