Total Artificial Heart Replacement With 2 Centrifugal Blood Pumps

A total of 2 small, electrical, centrifugal pumps can be implanted as a total artificial heart replacement. This type of mechanical support may be advantageous in the setting of severe biventricular failure when cannulation of the native ventricles is complicated. Postinfarct ventricular septal rupture with inability to reconstruct the defect is an example in which we have successfully applied this strategy. The technique for ventriculectomy and pump attachment to the mitral and tricuspid annuli is presented.