Axillary intra-aortic balloon pump, biventricular assist device implantation and subsequent orthotopic heart transplantation in a patient with sickle cell trait.

A 38-year-old male with sickle cell trait and acute refractory heart failure received an axillary intra-aortic balloon pump and short-term biventricular assist device. He underwent orthotopic heart transplantation 45 days later, which was complicated by major bleeding necessitating significant intra-operative transfusion. Support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was provided and successfully weaned five days later.