Heart Failure and the Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

Site Infections

Surgical site infections after minimally invasive surgery still create complications for patients and providers.  For LVAD patients their risk for device-related infections is drastically increased.  This is as a result of the drive line (precordial wire - refer to photo) that connects the internal components of the LVAD to the exterior system controller.  In one study 32% of patients had a device-associated infection and 55%  had obtained a noscomial (hospital-based) bloodstream infection. [6] Frequency of infection according to a study of 132 LVAD patients 1-year post-implant: Driveline infection 7 - 71% Extravascular pump infection 0.4 - 10% Endovascular pump infection 2.2 - 13% [32] Pre-appearance of a severe driveline infection [33]