Implantable LVAD infections: implications for permanent use of the device.
BACKGROUND
Infection in implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients is common and has serious implications regarding permanent use of the LVAD.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients had HeartMate LVAD insertion as a bridge to heart transplantation. The mean length of hospital stay was 8 days before LVAD insertion. Before insertion 6 patients (18%) had positive pulmonary cultures and 5 patients (15%) had bacteremia.


RESULTS
During LVAD support 18 patients (55%) had bloodstream infection. Of 24 patients (73%) successfully bridged to transplantation, 12 (50%) had positive blood cultures including Staphylococcus species (n = 9), Candida (n = 3), Pseudomonas (n = 2), and Enterococcus (n = 2). Infectious complications encountered in this series included driveline infection requiring surgical revision, septic embolus, "cleared" device infection, "suppressed" device infection, and LVAD infection treated by device removal in 1 patient and device exchange in another.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection in implantable LVAD patients is common, especially in patients in whom multiple organ failure develops, requiring prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. Strategies are needed to prevent these infections in recipients of the permanent LVADs because treatment of an established infection is difficult and expensive.
McCarthy
P M
PM
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
Schmitt
S K
SK
Vargo
R L
RL
Gordon
S
S
Keys
T F
TF
Hobbs
R E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000628:therapy