An unexpected surgical complication of ventricular assist device implantation identified by transesophageal echocardiography: a case report. Journal   Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography. Citation   J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 16(11):1194-7 Publication date   2003 Nov Authors   Pu M Stephenson ER Davidson WR Sun BC Investigators   William R. Davidson, Jr. Min Pu Edward Roger Stephenson MeSH headings   Coronary Artery Bypass Echocardiography, Doppler, Color Echocardiography, Transesophageal Heart-Assist Devices Intraoperative Complications MeSH qualifiers   instrumentation adverse effects etiology ultrasonography Abstract   Ventricular assist devices are used for circulatory support for patients with cardiogenic shock and refractory heart failure. Although early and late complications of left ventricular assist devices have been reported, we report a rare surgical complication of a left ventricular assist device implantation. This unexpected surgical complication was accurately identified by transesophageal echocardiography. Medline ID   22969927