Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Insertion, Maintenance, and Removal of the Percutaneous Dual Lumen Cannula Right Ventricular Assist Device
Published on: July 20, 2022
Cold Atmospheric Plasma Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Treating Driveline Infections in Left Ventricular Assist
Hebe Al Asadi1, Martina Socha1, Christiane Marko1
1Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Aortic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Background:
Driveline infections (DLIs) remain a present problem in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients, impacting quality of life and outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of usual care versus cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) for the treatment of DLI with three contemporary LVADs.
Methods:
This single center cohort study analyzed 78 LVAD outpatients, who developed a DLI during follow-up and were treated with standard care (n = 36), involving targeted antibiotics, silver-based dressings, surgical debridement, VAC-therapy, and in severe cases, pump replacement. The CAP (SteriPlas, Adtec Healthcare, UK) cohort received adjuvant CAP therapy (n = 42) 2-3× per week. The primary outcome was the efficiency of CAP treatment for DLI (wound healing) 12 months after start of intervention stratified by usual care versus CAP. Secondary outcomes included freedom from DLI-related hospital readmission, pump exchange and VAC implantation, as well as an analysis of CAP-specific parameters.
Results:
A total of 943 CAP sessions were performed with a median number of 17 (8; 36) sessions per patient. No side effects or pump malfunctions were observed during CAP therapy. Patients with more severe DLIs (higher DESTINE staging) required more CAP sessions to achieve healing (r = 0.42, p = 0.049). CAP versus usual care resulted in higher rates of wound healing (50% vs. 25%, p = 0.03) and less DLI-related hospital readmissions (19.0% vs. 54.5%, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Regardless of the type of bacteria, CAP provides a safe, non-contact therapy and easy treatment option for DLIs with significant improvement in LVAD patient outcomes and quality of life.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

