Prolonged but successful weaning from left ventricular assist device after cardiac decompensation due to late-recognized coarctation of the aorta in a toddler.

A 2-year-old boy was presented with late-recognized coarctation of the aorta and pulmonary hypertension due to left ventricular failure. The coarctation was corrected at the day of admission with a good postoperative result. However, weaning from the respirator failed despite multiple drug support due to left ventricular failure. Consequently, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted 22 days later. The further course was complicated by systemic hypertension and ongoing pulmonary hypertension requiring extensive antihypertensive therapy. The first attempt to wean from LVAD failed and the left ventricle was left completely unloaded for additional 4 weeks. The second weaning attempt, using a very smooth weaning protocol, led to a recovered left ventricle and facilitated the removal of the assist device after a total of 120 days. The patient was discharged with normal cardiac function, but he still requires antihypertensive therapy. We believe that the slow reduction of the LVAD support was the key measure that leads to the successful weaning of the patient, thereby avoiding heart transplantation.