Attention to Details Reduces Infection Rates in Patients with Continuous Flow Pumps

The increased use of mechanical circulatory support has led to a rise in infectious complications in the recent years predisposing this population of patients to higher morbidity and mortality. In this study, we report a significantly lower rate of driveline infections of 0.12 episodes/patient-year as compared to the rates reported in the existing literature in patients with the HMII (Heartmate II). The study is limited by the fact that it is based on a small population of patients and was conducted retrospectively making recall bias hard to rule out. It is strictly restricted to one type of continuous flow pump (HMII) solely to decrease variations in the data reviewed. The exact cause of the low infection rate noted in this study is difficult to define. However, detailed teaching to the caregivers and the patient as well as close follow-ups in the perioperative period may substantially contribute to the outcome noted. Continued research limited to similar continuous flow ventricular assist devices in larger study populations would shed light on defining causes of infections in this population and developing robust algorithms to prevent such complications.