Jarvik 2000 FlowMaker Axial-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support for Management of Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias

Chronic congestive heart failure is not uncommonly associated with ventricular arrhythmias. In a small percentage of these cases, the arrhythmias may become refractory to medical therapy and exacerbate the patient's underlying heart failure. The authors report such a case, in which ventricular failure necessitated insertion of a Jarvik 2000 FlowMaker left ventricular assist device (Jarvik Heart Inc., New York, NY). In addition to normalizing the cardiac output, this axial-flow device controlled the previously unremitting ventricular arrhythmia.