Infectious Complications of Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Devices

Left-ventricular assist devices and other forms of mechanical circulatory support are increasingly important in the routine therapy of patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. Technology may help to decrease the rate of infections associated with these devices, but with larger numbers of implants being utilized across the globe, infections overall are becoming more commonplace. Becoming familiar with appropriate techniques for prevention and with the ideal approach to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is key to managing mechanical circulatory support infections in this unique, but growing, patient population.