scholarly journals Treatment of chronic left ventricular assist device infection with local application of bacteriophages

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Mulzer ◽  
Andrej Trampuz ◽  
Evgenij V Potapov
Keyword(s):  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Major Complication ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Local Application ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Device Infection ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist

Abstract Left ventricular assist device-associated infections represent a major complication during long-term support. Driveline exit site infections harbour the risk of ascending into the pump, causing deep-seated infections. We report on the successful treatment of a chronic recurrent left ventricular assist device pump-associated infection by the local application of bacteriophages as adjunct to standard surgical and antimicrobial treatment.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Infection Is Associated With Increased Mortality but Is Not a Contraindication to Transplantation

Circulation ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 814-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Herrmann ◽  
Michael Weyand ◽  
Britta Greshake ◽  
Christof von Eiff ◽  
Richard A. Proctor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Device Infection ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist

scholarly journals Epidemiology of Left Ventricular Assist Device Infections: Findings From a Large Nonregistry Cohort

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merilda O Blanco-Guzman ◽  
Xiaowen Wang ◽  
Justin M Vader ◽  
Margaret A Olsen ◽  
Erik R Dubberke
Keyword(s):  
Median Survival ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Major Complication ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Local Analysis ◽  
Circulatory Support ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist

Abstract Background Infection is a major complication during circulatory support with a left ventricular assist device (VAD). Changes in device characteristics and treatment practices in the last decade can affect the epidemiology of infection. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has published recommendations on the prevention and management of VAD infections, but data to support these recommendations remain sparse. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 455 patients who underwent VAD placement from 2009 to 2015. Infection episodes were defined using ISHLT criteria and were also grouped as endovascular or local. Analysis included descriptive statistics. Results There were 174 patients (38.6%) with a VAD infection. Infection incidence was 36.9 cases per 100 person-years of VAD support. The driveline was the most common infection site (67.2%). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were not satisfied in 29.2% of patients with endovascular infections, and computed tomography (CT) examinations were normal in 37.7% of cases. Gram-positive bacteria caused 65.6% of infections in patients with an available culture. Antimicrobial suppression was used in 72.3% of patients who survived treatment. Median survival after infection was 35 months for patients with VAD-related infections versus 14 months for patients with VAD-specific infections. Conclusions VAD infections continue to be a major complication after implantation. Clinical criteria alone were not predictive of serious infections, and many patients with confirmed infection had normal CTs. Patients with VAD-specific infections had lower median survival than patients with VAD-related infections.

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