“Despite the benefits provided by continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), such as the HeartMate-II (HM-II), pump-related infection remains a potential complication of LVAD use. The following factors contribute to LVAD infection: malnutrition, diabetes, obesity,
prolonged hospitalization, postoperative bleeding, hematoma formation, reoperation, multiorgan failure, and sepsis.Device-related infection entails an increased hospital stay and increased risk of death. Therefore, bridge-to-transplant patients with LVAD-related infections are upgraded to status IA, classified as the highest level of urgency, on the transplant waiting list.”