Interplay between driveline infection, vessel wall inflammation, cerebrovascular events and mortality in patients with left ventricular assist device.

ABSTRACT: In patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD), infections and thrombotic events represent severe complications. We investigated device-specific local and systemic inflammation and its impact on cerebrovascular events (CVE) and mortality. In 118 LVAD patients referred for ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT, metabolic activity of LVAD components, thoracic aortic wall, lymphoid and hematopoietic organs, was quantified and correlated with clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and outcome. Driveline infection was detected in 92/118 (78%) patients by ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT. Activity at the driveline entry site was associated with increased signals in aortic wall (r = 0.32, p < 0.001), spleen (r = 0.20, p = 0.03) and bone marrow (r = 0.20, p = 0.03), indicating systemic interactions.

SUBMITTER: Hupe J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10613624 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature