On the 10th day after BiVAD insertion, the patient’s
hemodynamics deteriorated even though BiVAD function remains normal and
there were no mechanical complications on echocardiogram found. Higher
vasopressor doses were required to maintain mean arterial pressure.
Persistent pulmonary infiltration raised suspicion of VAP with septic
shock. Empiric antibiotics were administered, including meropenem,
vancomycin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and colistin.
After the BAL results came back. Antibiotics were changed to meropenem,
tigecycline, levofloxacin, and voriconazole. Fortunately, after
implementing intensive management, the patient’s hemodynamics improved
within 24 hours. This positive response led to an urgent orthotopic
heart transplant. However, due to active VAP with septic shock within
the past 24 hours as well as the diagnosis of probable IPA, a lower
immunosuppressive regimen was chosen for this patient.
After the 20th day, the patient underwent orthotopic
heart transplant. The explanted heart’s pathological examination
revealed dilated cardiomyopathy without a specific etiology, leading to
the diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (Figure 4).
Following the successful transplant, the overall clinical condition
showed improvement, enabling the removal of all mechanical circulatory
support and the discontinuation of antibiotics within 7 days.
Voriconazole was continued to treat probable IPA, in addition to
immunosuppressive drugs such as tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, and
prednisolone.