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Percutaneous Access Devices in Calves Receiving an Artificial Heart
Author(s) -
Holmberg David L.,
Dew Pamela,
Crump Carol,
Burns Greg,
Taenaka Yoshiyuki,
Olsen Donald B.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.1988.tb01521.x
Subject(s) - percutaneous , artificial heart , medicine , cardiology
Vegetative endocarditis and thromboembolism are the two leading pathologic findings and causes of death in calves receiving total artificial hearts (TAH). Percutaneous access devices (PAD) for the pneumatic drive lines often become infected and may serve as the nidus of infection of the vegetative lesions. Observations of 80 calves living with TAHs revealed that most infections began at the dorsal surface of the PAD. Chronic skin ulceration or acute, traumatic avulsion can result in PAD separation from the skin and bacterial implantation. Evaluation of 58 necropsy specimens from calves with TAHs demonstrated improper flange positioning in 76% of the PAD and gross infection in 57%. A new implantation technique and design of PAD have resulted in better flange position and less irritation at the skin/device interface. Necropsies of 11 animals with the new PAD have shown a reduction in superficial infections.