Fungal Infections Associated with Long-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support-Diagnosis and Management

Abstract

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used as a treatment option for advanced heart failure. Fungal infections present a serious concern given the high association with major adverse events including death in this group of patients.

The objective of this review is to summarize the incidence, risk factors, method for diagnosis, complication rate, and outcomes in patients with VADs who develop fungal infections. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12258 (J Card Surg 2014;29:95-100)

Keywords

• ventricular-assist device
• linked-immunosorbent-assay
• cell transplant recipients
• blood-stream infections
• real-time pcr
• clinical-practice guidelines
• chain-reaction assay
• invasive aspergillosis
• stem-cell
• risk-factors