Use of an intraperitoneal ventricular assist device with a polytetrafluoroethylene barrier decreases infections.
BACKGROUND
Infection rates for ventricular assist devices (VADs) are improving but the presence of infections remains problematic. Intraperitoneal pump placement may decrease the rate of infection.


METHODS
This study is a single-institution, retrospective comparison of infections for an extraperitoneal vs an intraperitoneal position with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet separating the VAD from visceral organs. Implants were performed by a single surgical team from January 1, 2002 to May 31, 2006 (n = 65) for bridge-to-transplant or destination therapy. Patients with paracorporeal pumps (17 patients) or implant times of <30 days (n = 7; 4 died, 3 ongoing, 0 with pocket infections) were excluded. Thirty-five pulsatile left VADs were analyzed, whereas 6 rotary VADs were excluded from analysis. Twenty-three pulsatile VADs were placed in an extraperitoneal pocket (pocket patients) in 18 patients (5 patients had more than one left VAD implant), whereas 12 patients had intraperitoneal (IP patients) VAD placement.


RESULTS
Infection with the implanted VAD occurred in 8 of 23 pocket implants (mean support 310 +/- 249 days) and 0 of 12 IP implants (mean support 220 +/- 131 days; pocket vs IP infections: p = 0.003). Staphylococcus and Enterococcus accounted for most of the infections. Four infections in the pocket group recurred during VAD support. Two infected pocket patients had dehiscence of the mid-line wound.


CONCLUSIONS
Infections of implanted VADs are associated with serious morbidity (e.g., prolonged antibiotic therapy, recurrent device infections and wound dehiscence). Placing VADs in an intraperitoneal position with a PTFE barrier to protect the viscera may reduce the prevalence of these infections.
Holman
William L
WL
Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0007, USA. wholman@uab.edu
Pamboukian
Salpy V
SV
Bellot
S Chris
SC
Blood
Peggy S
PS
Tallaj
Jose A
JA
Sharpton
Jessica L
JL
Kirklin
James K
JK
D000368:Aged; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene