Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
Left ventricular assist device vegetation: "cure" without device explantation
Bill D Gogas1, John T Parissis, Efstathios K Iliodromitis
1Second Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Attikon, Athens, Greece. b.gogas@erasmusmc.nl
Infection following the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a life-threatening complication with mortality rates ranging from 15% to 44%. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the most frequently identified pathogens and are responsible for 60% of LVAD-related infections, local as well as systemic. In this report we describe the successful therapeutic management of a patient who received a Heart Mate II as "bridging-to-recovery", which was complicated by device infection that was managed without device explantation.
Infection following the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a life-threatening complication with mortality rates ranging from 15% to 44%. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the most frequently identified pathogens and are responsible for 60% of LVAD-related infections, local as well as systemic. In this report we describe the successful therapeutic management of a patient who received a Heart Mate II as "bridging-to-recovery", which was complicated by device infection that was managed without device explantation.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
