LVAD driveline infection: Pump cable relocation in two stage surgical strategy and preventive partial driveline replacement

Mechanical left ventricular assist device implantation (LVAD) has become a well-established option for the treatment of patients with severe congestive heart failure. Infection of the driveline is considered the Achilles’ heel of this procedure and the reported surgical approach, by mean of topic and or driveline relocation, is characterized by a high recurrence rate. An alternative approach consisting in a two-stage surgical procedure with the use of antiseptic bath to eradicate the bacteria from the driveline is proposed. Also, a preventive early driveline replacement is suggested with an original technical solution here described.