Driveline Relocation and Vacuum-Assisted Closure for Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Infections

Background: Durable mechanical circulatory support (DMCS) infections remain a serious challenge. Ventricular assist device (VAD)-specific driveline infections (DLIs) are the most common type; however, no consensus exists on their surgical management. We aimed to define the incidence, risk factors, and microbiology of DLIs and discuss the surgical treatment modalities. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 90 patients who underwent a left or biventricular ventricular assist device (LVAD or BiVAD) implantation with either a HeartMate 2 (Abbott), HeartWare HVAD (Medtronic), or HeartMate 3 (Abbott) in a single center between 1 March 2011 and 30 May 2023. Results: DLIs were detected in 20 (21.5%) patients during the follow-up. The mean duration of VAD support was 561.1 ± 833.2 days (1–4124 days), while it was 1277.9 ± 621.6 days in the DLI group. An extended duration of VAD support was associated with higher incidence rates of late-onset DLIs (p < 0.05). A younger age and lower plasma albumin levels were independent predictive factors for the risk of a DLI, with a hazard ratio of 9.77 (95%CI: 1.3–74.5) and 10.55 (95%CI: 1.40–79.35), respectively. The removal of the biofilm with velour and DL relocation through the rectus muscle combined with vacuum-assisted strategies (VAC) were performed in nine patients. One patient developed a recurrent infection, and another patient with a deep DLI subsequently received a heart transplant. No patient underwent a device exchange for an intractable DLI. Conclusions: Our results suggest that DLIs are common infectious complications after VAD implantation, which endanger patient autonomy, and impair their quality of life and overall survival. A DL relocation through the rectus muscles and VAC strategies have a role in controlling DLIs.