Diagnosis and management of left ventricular assist device valve-endocarditis: LVAD valve replacement.
A 57-year-old man who has been wearing a Novacor N100 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for more than 3 years suffered from LVAD endocarditis. Only by immunoscintigraphic methods was it possible to localize the septic focus. After successful exchange of in- and outflow tract valves, the infection was eradicated. Microscopic investigation confirmed the scintigraphic findings: Gram-positive bacteria were found. The valves showed no gross degenerative lesions after more than 1,100 days of implantation. The patient is now doing well.
de Jonge
K C
KC
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Nuclear Medicine, Charité, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany. koen.de_jonge@charite.de
Laube
H R
HR
Dohmen
P M
PM
Ivancevic
V
V
Konertz
W F
WF
D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016719:Radioimmunodetection; D012086:Reoperation; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*