Long-term medical control of inflow cuff infection in a patient with a left ventricular assist system

J Artif Organs. 2009;12(1):58-60. doi: 10.1007/s10047-008-0444-1. Epub 2009 Mar 29.

Abstract

We report on a patient fitted with a Toyobo left ventricular assist system who developed inflow cannula exit-site infection. Although the exit-site infection seemed to be overcome by local irrigation and intravenous antibiotic therapy, repeated attempts at discontinuation of the intravenous antibiotic therapy resulted in bacteremia, and long-term administration of intravenous antibiotics was required. At the time of heart transplantation, it was noticed that the exit-site infection had caused ascending infection via the cannula and resulted in abscess formation around the left ventricular apical cuff. The infection was successfully controlled by heart transplantation and prophylactic omentopexy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Heart-Assist Devices / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Mediastinitis / drug therapy
  • Mediastinitis / etiology*
  • Mediastinitis / microbiology
  • Mediastinitis / surgery
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / surgery
  • Young Adult
  • beta-Lactams / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactams