Al Shakaki M1, Rotering H1, Mastrobuoni S2, Welp H1, Dell’Aquilia AM1
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany;
2Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Universite’ Catholique du Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium
Occurrence of ventricular assist device (VAD)-specific infections is a serious complication that can jeopardize on the long run the effectiveness of VAD therapy. In the light of ongoing shortage of organ available for heart transplantation there will be in the next future an increase necessity of conservative strategies. A multidisciplinary approach including cardiac surgeons, cardiologist, infectious disease (ID) consultant and nuclear medicine physicians should be the first step for the diagnosis and treatment of VAD-specific infections. Early detection of infections and consequently early treatment with innovative strategies may help physicians to improve outcomes.
