Current Infectious Disease Reports

, Volume 11, Issue 4, pp 268–273 | Cite as

Cardiac assist device infections

Article
First Online:

Abstract

Cardiac assist devices have emerged as an increasingly important option for circulatory support in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. Infection has been the leading cause of death with use of ventricular assist devices for the past 25 years, and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Infections may involve the internal (blood-containing) components, or occur on the external device surfaces. The pump pocket and the percutaneous driveline are particularly vulnerable. In this article we review the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical course, and approaches for treatment and prevention of cardiac assist device infections.

Keywords

Exit Site Mechanical Circulatory Support Heart Lung Transplant Device Infection Left Ventricular Assist Device Support 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Current Medicine Group, LLC 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Section of Infectious DiseasesWashington Hospital CenterWashingtonUSA

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