Intracranial Abscess Due to Septic Embolism in a Patient with Left Ventricular Assist Device

Abstract

The left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly getting used as an alternative option of heart transplantation in patients with advanced heart failure. However, it is associated device-related complications such as thromboembolism, infection and cerebrovascular accident. We report a patient with intracranial abscess and hemorrhage caused by driveline infection, who underwent LVAD implantation previously. In this report, we show that a driveline infection may predispose major complications after discontinuation of antibiotics even with successful treatment.