Left ventricular assist device driveline infections in three contemporary devices

Driveline infections (DLI) are common adverse events in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), leading to severe complications and readmissions. The study aims to characterize risk factors for DLI readmission 2 years postimplant. This single‐center study included 183 LVAD patients (43 HeartMate II [HMII], 29 HeartMate 3 [HM3], 111 HVAD) following hospital discharge between 2013 and 2017. Demographics, clinical parameters, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed and 12.6% of patients were readmitted for DLI, 14.8% experienced DLI but were treated in the outpatient setting, and 72.7% had no DLI. Mean C‐reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes and fibrinogen were higher in patients with DLI readmission (P < .02) than in outpatient DLI and patients without DLI, as early as 60 days before readmission. Freedom from DLI readmission was comparable for HMII and HVAD (98% vs. 87%; HR, 4.52; 95% CI, 0.58‐35.02; P = .15) but significantly lower for HM3 (72%; HR, 10.82; 95% CI, 1.26‐92.68; P = .03). DLI (HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.999‐1.002; P = .16) or device type had no effect on mortality. DLI readmission remains a serious problem following LVAD implantation, where CRP, leukocytes, and fibrinogen might serve as risk factors already 60 days before. HM3 patients had a higher risk for DLI readmissions compared to HVAD or HMII, possibly because of device‐specific driveline differences.