Exercise Training in a Patient With a Left Ventricular Assist Device and Large Aortic Valve Thrombus

DETAILS OF THE CLINICAL CASE: An aortic valve thrombus (AVT) is a rare complication after HeartMate II implantation. In a 44-year-old man, a large AVT was discovered 6 weeks after implantation of a HeartMate II for severe dilated cardiomyopathy. The aortic valve was permanently closed. DISCUSSION: After a followup of 3 months without embolic events, the patient started a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program involving aerobic exercise, resistance exercises, group gymnastics, and relaxation exercise, and completed the program without any complications, resulting in a significant functional benefit. SUMMARY: CR might not be systematically contraindicated in patients with HeartMate II and an AVT, in particular, if there is no opening of the aortic valve at rest.