title: New Treatment for Percutaneous Sites in Patients with a Ventricular Assist Device: Nihon University Crystal Violet Method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection of the percutaneous site of a ventricular assist device (VAD) is a challenging complication. We report our experience with crystal violet Solbase (Nihon University crystal violet method) for prevention of driveline or cannula infections in VAD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The crystal violet method was used in 10 patients (prophylaxis in nine and treatment in one). Eight patients had an extracorporeal VAD (Nipro) and two had an implantable VAD (Heart Mate II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The infection-free period was 4-623 days (mean: 144.2 ± 222.9 days). All eight patients with an extracorporeal VAD died, while the two patients with an implantable VAD (Heart Mate II) survived. Infection was improved in a patient with MRSA, and the results of bacteriological examination were always negative in the patients receiving prophylaxis. The two patients with an implantable VAD had no infection for 2 and 20 months after implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the Nihon University crystal violet method is effective for prevention and treatment of driveline or cannula infections in patients with a VAD.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sezai
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niino
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osaka
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaoita
authors.forename: Munehito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arimoto
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Motomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shiono
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009824:Ointments; D005840:Gentian Violet