Operative modification for the prevention of device-related infection during NIPRO extracorporeal left ventricular assist device implantation.

An operative modification in which the NIPRO left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cannulas are passed through the intraperitoneal cavity is performed as the first-choice standard technique in our institution. Eighteen consecutive patients who underwent NIPRO LVAD implantation as heart transplantation candidates were enrolled in this study. The cannulas were passed through the intraperitoneal cavity in 11 patients (Group IP) and the extraperitoneal space in 7 patients (Group EP). A device-related major infection was defined as bloodstream infection and/or abscess formation in the deep tissue space. Device-related major infection occurred in 6 patients in Group IP and in 6 patients in Group EP. Of these patients, 3 patients in Group IP and 5 patients in Group EP suffered from uncontrollable bloodstream infection and finally died of development into multiple organ failure and/or cerebrovascular accidents. The actuarial rates of freedom from device-related major infection at 6 months after LVAD implantation were 100 % in Group IP and 38 % in Group EP, respectively (p = 0.02). Moreover, the actuarial survival rates after the initial device-related major infection in Group IP could be significantly higher than in Group EP (83 and 67 % at 6 months, p = 0.03). We demonstrated that this operative modification can contribute to prevention of progression of superficial skin infection to critical infection and to extension of the survival duration after the initial device-related major infection.