scholarly journals A Case of Idiopathic Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension in a Patient With a Left Ventricular Assist Device

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 232470961987833
Author(s):  
Shana Kothari ◽  
Michael Kalinowski ◽  
Natasha Shah ◽  
Hareth Raddawi

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is a rare diagnosis caused by an unknown etiology with elevated intrahepatic portal pressures in the absence of underlying liver disease. We present a unique case of a 57-year-old male with a left ventricular assist device and preserved right ventricular function that was found to have an elevated hepatic venous pressure gradient and sequelae of portal hypertension without underlying liver disease. There is limited treatment available as management is primarily aimed toward preventing complications of the disease. This case highlights the need for further investigative research of this disease entity and its pathogenesis.

Author(s):  
J P Cassella ◽  
V Salih ◽  
T R Graham

Left ventricular assist systems are being developed for eventual long term or permanent implantation as an alternative to heart transplantation in patients unsuitable for or denied the transplant option. Evaluation of the effects of these devices upon normal physiology is required. A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the morphology of aortic tissue from calves implanted with a pneumatic Left Ventricular Assist device-LVAD. Two 3 month old heifer calves (calf 1 and calf 2) were electively explanted after 128 days and 47 days respectively. Descending thoracic aortic tissue from both animals was removed immediately post mortem and placed into karnovsky’s fixative. The tissue was subsequently processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Some aortic tissue was fixed in neutral buffered formalin and processed for routine light microscopy.


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