Development of a murine ventricular assist device transcutaneous drive-line model.

Mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSDs) are a major form of therapy for congestive heart failure. However, MCSDs have been associated with a high incidence of infections. The most common of these infections involve the transcutaneous drive-line. 1 Rose E.A. Gelijns A.C. Moskowitz A.J. et al. Long-term mechanical left ventricular assistance for end-stage heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2001; 345: 1435-1443 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3289) Google Scholar , 2 Holman W.L. Murrah C.P. Ferguson E.R. et al. Infections during extended circulatory support: University of Alabama at Birmingham experience 1989 to 1994. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996; 61: 366-371 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar , 3 Deng M.C. Edwards L.B. Hertz M.I. et al. Mechanical Circulatory Support Device database of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: third annual report—2005. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2005; 23: 1027-1034 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (62) Google Scholar , 4 Miller L.W. Pagani F.D. Russell S.D. et al. Use of a continuous-flow device in patients awaiting heart transplantation. N Engl J Med. 2007; 357: 885-896 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1385) Google Scholar Herein we describe a murine drive-line model developed to investigate MCSD-related infections.