Treatment of infected left ventricular assist device using antibiotic-impregnated beads.

McKellar, S H; Allred, B D; Marks, J D; Cowley, C G; Classen, D C; Gardner, S C; Long, J W · Ann Thorac Surg · 1999

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

There is no well-established therapy for treating infections of heart-assist or artificial heart devices, a serious problem with life-threatening consequences. We used a promising new approach in which antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads were placed around an implanted left ventricular assist device to control an external blood pump infection in a bridge-to-transplant patient. In this case report, we describe the potential of antimicrobial-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads for in situ control of infections involving external surfaces of cardiovascular devices.

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