Initial experience with routine less invasive implantation of HeartMate II left ventricular assist device without median sternotomy

摘要

OBJECTIVES: Standard implantation of HeartMate II (HMII) left ventricular assist device requires an extended median sternotomy; this incision, while generally well tolerated, may add morbidity in critically ill debilitated patients. We recently adopted a sternum sparing technique for routine HMII implants using a left subcostal incision to create a pocket and access the left ventricular apex, and a right minithoracotomy to access the ascending aorta.