A novel method to reduce device-related infections in patients supported with the HeartMate device.
Improved implantable left ventricular assist device technology has made survival to heart transplantation a near certainty. Nevertheless, infection remains a major risk to recipients of current percutaneous systems. We developed a modified implantation technique applied to the last 9 of 30 patients who received the HeartMate vented electric left ventricular assist system (LVAS). Covering the upper surface of the pump with a patch of knitted graft material was followed by a decline in the incidence of pocket infections from 33.3% to 11.1%. This modification compares favorably to that of a lengthened percutaneous driveline tunnel in reducing device-related infection.
Arusoglu
L
L
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
Koerfer
R
R
Tenderich
G
G
Alexander
W A
WA
El-Banayosy
A
A
D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates