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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Ultrasound – An Underutilized Diagnostic Tool For Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Infections, Kristina Krzelj, Tomislav Tokic, Tomislav Kopjar, Maja Cikes, Davor Milicic, Hrvoje Gasparovic
Ultrasound – An Underutilized Diagnostic Tool For Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Infections, Kristina Krzelj, Tomislav Tokic, Tomislav Kopjar, Maja Cikes, Davor Milicic, Hrvoje Gasparovic
The VAD Journal
Patients with ventricular assist device (VAD) driveline infections (DLI) have reduced quality of life and increased risk of severe complications, such as sepsis, hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, and wound infections. The management of VAD patients imposes a significant financial burden due to prolonged in-hospital stays, frequent re-admissions, expensive diagnostics, and the need for antibiotic therapy and/or surgical intervention. There is considerable room for improvement in DLI management, particularly in the early detection and treatment stages. Ultrasound, an easily applicable device available in almost every hospital, offers an unrecognized potential for the early detection of DLI. By increasing awareness about the …
Total Artificial Heart Imaging And Complications: A Pictorial Review, Carrie K. Gomez, Susan K. Hobbs
Total Artificial Heart Imaging And Complications: A Pictorial Review, Carrie K. Gomez, Susan K. Hobbs
The VAD Journal
Heart failure is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality with many patients ultimately requiring heart transplantation. As the rate of heart failure continues to increase and surpass the number of available donor hearts, the need for cardiac assist devices is rapidly rising. The total artificial heart has emerged as an effective therapeutic option in patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure who are awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation. The TAH replaces the patient’s native ventricle and valves and has one of the highest bridge to transplant rates. Many complications have been associated with the TAH including infections, bleeding, thrombosis, device malfunction, …