Key result
The use of an ePTFE membrane during LVAD implantation in a multi-allergic patient was suspected to cause recurrent sterile intrathoracic abscess and pericardial empyema, which resolved after membrane removal.
Case Report (n=1)
No
In multi-allergic patients undergoing LVAD implantation, the use of ePTFE membranes may be associated with sterile intrathoracic abscess and pericardial empyema, suggesting alternative materials like bovine pericardium should be considered.
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Raises caution for ePTFE in multi-allergic LVAD patients; hypothesis-generating for biomaterial-related complications.
Device-related infections in recipients of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have been recognized as a major source of morbidity and mortality. They require a high level of diagnostic effort as part of the overall burden resulting from infectious complications in LVAD recipients. We present a multi-allergic patient who was treated for persistent sterile intrathoracic abscess formation and pericardial empyema following minimally invasive LVAD implantation including use of a sheet of e-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane to restore pericardial integrity. Sterile abscess formation and pericardial empyema recurred after surgical removal until the ePTFE membrane was removed, suggesting that in disposed patients, ePTFE may be related to sterile abscess formation or sterile empyema.
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Kornberger et al. (2015) conducted a case report in Dilated cardiomyopathy, LVAD recipient (n=1). ePTFE membrane was evaluated on Sterile intrathoracic abscess and pericardial empyema. The use of an ePTFE membrane during LVAD implantation in a multi-allergic patient was suspected to cause recurrent sterile intrathoracic abscess and pericardial empyema, which resolved after membrane removal.
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