OBJECTIVES: Driveline infections are one of the most common and important complications in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). One of the causes favouring the development of this complication is the traumatism of the exit site, which occurs in response to movement of the driveline. In this work, we present a simple and feasible method to immobilize the driveline at the level of the exit site. METHODS: From April 2013 until November 2013, 6 patients underwent implantation of HeartWare LVAD (HVAD) for an end-stage heart failure. When the patient has begun to mobilize after the implantation of the device, we have combined the use of two components with the aim of securing the driveline to the patient's skin: a StatLock system and a silicone suture. RESULTS: No case of local traumatism and no case of local infection at the driveline were observed during the follow-up. No patient reported pain or swelling at the driveline exit site. All patients were satisfied with their quality-of-life and they do not report any limitations in their daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: One of the major long-term complications in patients with LVAD is the development of infections of the exit site of the driveline. The trauma of this skin region promotes the onset and maintenance of an inflammatory process and local infectious. Avoiding excessive mobilization of the driveline is likely to reduce the incidence of infections of the exit site and improve the quality-of-life.
OBJECTIVES: Driveline infections are one of the most common and important complications in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). One of the causes favouring the development of this complication is the traumatism of the exit site, which occurs in response to movement of the driveline. In this work, we present a simple and feasible method to immobilize the driveline at the level of the exit site. METHODS: From April 2013 until November 2013, 6 patients underwent implantation of HeartWare LVAD (HVAD) for an end-stage heart failure. When the patient has begun to mobilize after the implantation of the device, we have combined the use of two components with the aim of securing the driveline to the patient's skin: a StatLock system and a silicone suture. RESULTS: No case of local traumatism and no case of local infection at the driveline were observed during the follow-up. No patient reported pain or swelling at the driveline exit site. All patients were satisfied with their quality-of-life and they do not report any limitations in their daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: One of the major long-term complications in patients with LVAD is the development of infections of the exit site of the driveline. The trauma of this skin region promotes the onset and maintenance of an inflammatory process and local infectious. Avoiding excessive mobilization of the driveline is likely to reduce the incidence of infections of the exit site and improve the quality-of-life.
Authors: L Choi; A F Choudhri; V G Pillarisetty; L A Sampath; L Caraos; S R Brunnert; M C Oz; S M Modak Journal: J Heart Lung Transplant Date: 1999-11 Impact factor: 10.247
Authors: Daniel J Goldstein; David Naftel; William Holman; Lavanya Bellumkonda; Salpy V Pamboukian; Francis D Pagani; James Kirklin Journal: J Heart Lung Transplant Date: 2012-07-04 Impact factor: 10.247
Authors: Andreas Zierer; Spencer J Melby; Rochus K Voeller; Tracey J Guthrie; Gregory A Ewald; Kim Shelton; Michael K Pasque; Marc R Moon; Ralph J Damiano; Nader Moazami Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Andrea Baronetto; Paolo Centofanti; Matteo Attisani; Michele La Torre; Davide Ricci; Mauro Rinaldi Journal: Ann Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2014-09
Authors: Merilda O Blanco-Guzman; Xiaowen Wang; Justin M Vader; Margaret A Olsen; Erik R Dubberke Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2021-01-27 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: John C O'Horo; Omar M Abu Saleh; John M Stulak; Mark P Wilhelm; Larry M Baddour; M Rizwan Sohail Journal: ASAIO J Date: 2018 May/Jun Impact factor: 2.872
Authors: Julia Seretny; Tara Pidborochynski; Holger Buchholz; Darren H Freed; Roderick MacArthur; Nicole Dubyk; Laura Cunliffe; Osiris Zelaya; Jennifer Conway Journal: BMJ Open Qual Date: 2022-05
Authors: Evgenij V Potapov; Christiaan Antonides; Maria G Crespo-Leiro; Alain Combes; Gloria Färber; Margaret M Hannan; Marian Kukucka; Nicolaas de Jonge; Antonio Loforte; Lars H Lund; Paul Mohacsi; Michiel Morshuis; Ivan Netuka; Mustafa Özbaran; Federico Pappalardo; Anna Mara Scandroglio; Martin Schweiger; Steven Tsui; Daniel Zimpfer; Finn Gustafsson Journal: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2019-08-01 Impact factor: 4.191