Wound complications after left ventricular assist device implantation.
BACKGROUND
Wound necrosis and infection pose a tremendous risk for patients with left ventricular assist devices.


METHODS
We analyzed our database of patients with left ventricular assist devices for those who developed wound dehiscence and concomitant infection after left ventricular assist device implantation.


RESULTS
Three of our 66 patients (4.5%) with implantable ventricular assist devices had had severe wound complications with necrosis of the abdominal or thoracic wall uncovering part of the device. The predominant impact on the development of these complications was presumably related to multiple surgical interventions on the same site.


CONCLUSIONS
Nevertheless, these patients can recover and undergo successful heart transplantation if adequately managed.
Tjan
T D
TD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany.
Asfour
B
B
Hammel
D
D
Schmidt
C
C
Scheld
H H
HH
Schmid
C
C
D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*