ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

The Impact of Preoperative Antimicrobial Prophylaxis on Device-Related Infections in Recipients of Long-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS)

I. El Lakkis,1 K. Lietz,2 C. Derber,1 U. Kelly,1 C. Wilson,1 A. Hoedt,2 P. Bourasssa,2 B. Smith,2 M. McGrath,2 J. Herre,2 M. Mooney.1

1Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
2Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA.

Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: C179

Keywords: Infection, Prophylaxis

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session C: "Loss of Breath": VADs and Other Pre-Heart Transplant Matters

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Monday, May 4, 2015

Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

 Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Location: Exhibit Hall E

Purpose: Although preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended for patients undergoing long-term MCS device implantation, there is a lack of consensus as to the optimal preoperative antibiotic regimen, criteria for discontinuation and management of colonization. As with most MCS programs, our center recently expanded antimicrobial prophylaxis to include 2 or 3 antibiotics and an antifungal agent. We investigated the impact of these changes on development of MCS-related infections.

Methods: We studied 98 consecutive recipients of de novo long-term MCS devices at our center beteween 1/2010 and 11/2012 (94 HeartMate II LVAD, 2 HeartWare and 2 total artificial heart; 72% BTT and 27.8% DT; 73.5% male; 53% African American ethnicity; mean age 54.9±13 years; 49.5% non-ischemic cardiomyopathy). Device-related infections were defined using the recently published ISHLT criteria. Patients were followed until transplant, pump exchange, death or day of last observation on April 30, 2013. Mean follow-up was 13.7 months (range:14 days to 3.2 years).

Results: Preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis was given to 98% of study patients (49% of patients received one-, 8% two- and 41% three-antibiotic regimen). Antifungal agents were added in 40% of patients. In addition, 29% of patients prior to surgery and 93% after surgery were treated with antibiotics for other conditions. Overall, 33 (34%) of patients developed device-related infection (17.1%, 24.7%, 52.7% and 57.4% at 0.5-,1-,2- and 3-years of support). By multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of MCS-related infection included ≥2 reoperations prior to chest closure (RR 4.0, p<0.01) and postimplant outpatient medical noncompliance (RR 3.1, p=0.07). None of the preoperative antibiotic regimens (one-,two- or three-antibiotic regimen), specific antibiotics used (vancomycin, cefazolin, cefepime) or antifungal agent was found to be an independent predictor in preventing device-related infections.

Conclusion: Device-related infection developed in more than half of the long-term MCS recipients at our center by 3 years post implant. None of the preoperative antibiotic regimens or specific antibiotics used were found to be superior in preventing this complication. Further studies are needed to define appropriate perioperative antibiotic regimens.

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Lakkis IEl, Lietz K, Derber C, Kelly U, Wilson C, Hoedt A, Bourasssa P, Smith B, McGrath M, Herre J, Mooney M. The Impact of Preoperative Antimicrobial Prophylaxis on Device-Related Infections in Recipients of Long-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/the-impact-of-preoperative-antimicrobial-prophylaxis-on-device-related-infections-in-recipients-of-long-term-mechanical-circulatory-support-mcs/. Accessed June 2, 2025.

« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences