Flying after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Literature on the air travel activities of patients supported by permanent mechanical assist devices is rare. To the best of our knowledge, no air travel guidelines or fitness prerequisites exist on whether and when ventricular assist device (VAD) patients are allowed to travel by plane after device implantation. In this study, we evaluated the topic of air travel after VAD implantation.

Prevention and early treatment of driveline infections in ventricular assist device patients - The DESTINE staging proposal and the first standard of care protocol.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) using left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have considerably improved the quality of life and survival rate of patients with end-stage heart failure. Despite substantial technological progress, major challenges with regard to VAD-specific and VAD-related infections have hitherto hindered the broader application of this promising therapy approach. Driveline infections (DLI) range among the main adverse events experienced in LVAD patients.