Treatment of an Infected TEVAR with Extra- and Endovascular Bacteriophage Application.

Introduction: Graft infections are severe complications. Surgical resection of infected aortic stent grafts is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Therefore, alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotic treatment and extensive surgery are urgently needed.

Bacteriophage-Enriched Galenic for Intrapericardial Ventricular Assist Device Infection.

We report a case of severe outflow graft infection following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. A 51-year old male LVAD patient was readmitted to our hospital presenting signs of systemic infection. One year previously, LVAD implantation (HeartMate3, Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) with concomitant patent foramen ovale closure had been performed in the context of end-stage heart failure due to dilative cardiomyopathy (INTERMACS III).

Bacteriophages for the Treatment of Graft Infections in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Bacterial infections of vascular grafts represent a major burden in cardiovascular medicine, which is related to an increase in morbidity and mortality. Different factors that are associated with this medical field such as patient frailty, biofilm formation, or immunosuppression negatively influence antibiotic treatment, inhibiting therapy success. Thus, further treatment strategies are required.