Wound complications after left ventricular assist device implantation

Background. Wound necrosis and infection pose a tremendous risk for patient s with left ventricular assist devices. Methods. We analyzed our database of patients with left ventricular assist devices for those who developed wound dehiscence and concomitant infection after left ventricular assist device implantation. Results. Three of our 66 patients (4.5%) with implantable ventricular assis t devices had had severe wound complications with necrosis of the abdominal or thoracic wall uncovering part of the device. The predominant impact on the development of these complications was presumably related to multiple s urgical interventions on the same site. Conclusions. Nevertheless, these patients can recover and undergo successfu l heart transplantation if adequately managed. (C) 2000 by The Society of T horacic Surgeons.