Drive-line Exit-site Infection in a Patient With Axial-flow Pump Support: Successful Management Using Vacuum-assisted Therapy
Received 5 March 2007; received in revised form 14 June 2007; accepted 26 June 2007.
Infection remains one of the most common causes of mortality during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, and poses major challenges to surgeons implanting these devices. We describe the case of a patient supported with an axial-flow pump for dilative cardiomyopathy, who experienced drive-line exit-site infection and was treated with extensive surgical debridement and reconstruction by applying vacuum-assisted therapy. He remained infection-free after wound healing and, after 7 months of mechanical support, had native heart function recovery and underwent LVAD removal.
aDepartment of Cardiac Surgery “A. DeGasperis”, Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
bDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Reprint requests: Andrea Garatti, MD, Department of Cardiac Surgery “A. De Gasperis,” Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, Milan 20162, Italy. Telephone: +390264442565. Fax: +390264442566.
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