Surgical management of Novacor drive-line exit site infections.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) drive-line exit site infection, an expected consequence of currently available device use, continues to be a significant limiting factor in long-term support. We theorize that the mechanism behind the establishment of the most chronic exit site infections involves a shearing torsion injury that disrupts the tissue adherence interface with the drive-line. The resulting neo-epithelialized drainage tract prevents permanent clearance of the infection with antibiotics alone. The proposed treatment strategy of established infections involves aggressive surgical excision of the involved exit site.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Pasque, MK; Hanselman, T; Shelton, K; Kehoe-Huck, BA; Hedges, R; Cassivi, SD; Ewald, GA; Rogers, JG
Published Date
- October 2002
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 74 / 4
Start / End Page
- 1267 - 1268
PubMed ID
- 12400795
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0003-4975
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/s0003-4975(02)03752-9
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Netherlands