Surgical management of Novacor drive-line exit site infections.

Published

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

Pubmed Central 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