Jarvik 2000 LVAD Implantation Through Median Sternotomy With Retroauricular Power Supply

By Roberto Marsico, MD, Mohammed Nady, MD, Giuseppe Filiberto Serraino, MD, Giuseppe Musolino, MD, Federica Jiritano, MS, and Attilio Renzulli, MD, PhD

This video describes the authors' surgical technique for the problem of gaining access and routing the power cable to the retro-auricular area by using a median sternotomy approach. The outflow graft of the LVAD was anastomosed to the ascending aorta. The retro-auricular approach is associated with fewer infections than conventional drivelines, and anastomosis of the outflow graft to the ascending aorta is associated with less stasis and thrombo-embolic events.