Omental flap transposition with intra-abdominal relocation for LVAD pump-pocket infection

Abstract

We report salvage of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with a complex pump-pocket infection by intra-abdominal relocation and omental transposition. A 59-year-old diabetic male with valvular cardiomyopathy underwent HeartMate II (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA) implantation as a bridge to transplantation. Two months post-operatively he developed staphylococcal septicemia with abscess collection involving the pump pocket. There was no evidence of endocarditis or device vegetations by transesophageal echocardiography.