Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in left ventricular assist device patients.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are integral for the management of medically refractory heart failure, and LVAD infections are common following device placement. Most infections are caused by Staphylococcal spp. and Gram-negative enteric bacteria but nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections have been reported. We present the second-ever reported case of a driveline infection caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum in a 75-year-old male with a continuous-flow LVAD. After receiving meropenem, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin, he underwent device exchange and ultimately died after failing to recover neurologically. Management of NTM infections presents a clinical challenge due to the propensity for rapidly growing mycobacterial species to form biofilms and the possibility of negative cultures delaying diagnosis. To address the literature gap surrounding NTM infections in LVAD patients, we performed a systematic review and present all previously reported cases.