A novel method to reduce device-related infections in patients supported with the HeartMate device

Improved implantable left ventricular assist device technology has made survival to heart transplantation a near certainty. Nevertheless, infection remains a major risk to recipients of current percutaneous systems. We developed a modified implantation technique applied to the last 9 of 30 patients who received the HeartMate vented electric left ventricular assist system (LVAS). Covering the upper surface of the pump with a patch of knitted graft material was followed by a decline in the incidence of pocket infections from 33.3% to 11.1%. This modification compares favorably to that of a lengthened percutaneous driveline tunnel in reducing device-related infection. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.