Infectious complications in patients with ventricular assist device HeartMate II

Results 82 (77.4 %) patients were without infection, 7 (6.7 %) patients developed pump-pocket infection and in 17 (16 %) patients occurred driveline infection. Patients were divided according to driveline technical implantation to three groups: 58 patients with classic/direct technique, 12 patients with „C-shape techniquevelour coated“ and 36 patients with „C-shape technique plastic exit site“. Driveline infection was observed in 13 patients with direct technique (0.28 patient per year), in 3 „velour coated“ patients (0.20 patient per year) and in 1 patient with „plastic exit site“(0.068 patient per year). From this group 15 patients were successfully transplanted, 1 device was explanted, 6 patients died (only 2 patients on infection related complications) and 1 patient is currently on waiting list. Conclusion Late infections are the relevant factor of morbidity and mortality. Despite driveline or pump pocket infections 67 % patients were successfully transplanted or explanted after receiving an appropriate treatment. C-shape method of driveline implantation, especially its plastic site variant, seems to be the method of choice.