Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42469851›Full record

ArticleJournal of cardiothoracic surgery2026

Case report: decommissioning of a left ventricular assist device following reverse remodeling in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patient.

Sabina Ugovšek, Gregor Zemljič, Andraž Cerar, Sabina Frljak, Renata Okrajšek, Miran Šebeštjen, Ivan Kneževič, Zvezdana Dolenc Stražar, Gregor Poglajen

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cardiothoracic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Sabina UgovšekAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Gregor ZemljičAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Andraž CerarAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Sabina FrljakAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Renata OkrajšekAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Miran ŠebeštjenAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Ivan KneževičDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Zvezdana Dolenc StražarInstitute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Gregor PoglajenAdvanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Center, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. gregor.poglajen@kclj.si.

Funding

The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency P3-0457
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLeft ventricular assist devices (LVAD) improves clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and may induce myocardial recovery. LVAD explantation remains underutilized due to challenges in identifying patients with true recovery potential. We describe a case of a patient with advanced HF due to myocarditis, who underwent LVAD implantation and after reverse structural remodelling facilitated by a structural recovery protocol, LVAD weaning was possible. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient presented with an advanced HF due to myocarditis. Despite receiving guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and levosimendan, left ventricular function failed to improve and the patient remained inotrope dependent. The patient was approved and listed for heart transplant. Due to progressive worsening despite inotropic support, the patient underwent LVAD HeartMate II implantation. Through optimized mechanical unloading, GDMT, and structured follow-up, echocardiography demonstrated progressive cardiac reverse remodelling and LVAD decommissioning was feasible.

conclusionDespite low explantation and decommissioning rates in registries, dedicated recovery programs demonstrate that through combining mechanical unloading and GDMT optimization, sustained recovery and LVAD weaning are possible. This strategy offers a valuable alternative to transplantation and highlights the importance of standardized protocols in identifying and managing recovery candidates.

Indexed as

CardiomyopathiesHeart-Assist DevicesHeart FailureVentricular RemodelingEchocardiographyHumansCase reportGuideline directed medical therapyHeart failureLVAD decommissioningMyocardial recovery

Identifiers

PMID42469851
PMCPMC13659966

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.