Staphylococcal driveline infections are the predominant type of left ventricular assist device associated infections in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) associated infections (LVADIs) have substantial morbidity and mortality. We aim to describe the incidence and epidemiology of LVADIs in an Asian cohort. This is currently not well studied. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 52 patients who underwent LVAD implantation from 1 May 2009-31 December 2014 in National Heart Centre Singapore. LVADIs were defined based on definitions proposed by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. RESULTS: There were 39 males and 13 females. Seventy-three percent had Heartmate II LVAD implant while 27% received Heartware HVAD. Eighty-one percent were implanted as bridge to heart transplantation, 19% as destination therapy. Forty-five episodes of LVADIs occurred in 25 patients. Overall LVADI incidence was 47.5 cases per 100 patient-years. Driveline infections (58%) were the commonest type of LVADI. The commonest causative organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (33%), Staphylococcus aureus (31%) and Corynebacterium species (19%). Twelve percent of patients with LVADI required surgical debridement and one patient required pump exchange due to pump pocket infection. All-cause mortality was 13%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study add to the understanding and epidemiology of LVADIs, particularly in the Asian setting. This can contribute to the development of evidence based strategies to prevent and manage LVADIs.

Ultrafiltration in patients with decompensated heart failure and diuretic resistance: an Asian centre's experience.

INTRODUCTION: Diuretics are the mainstay of therapy for restoring the euvolaemic state in patients with decompensated heart failure. However, diuretic resistance remains a challenge. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine the efficacy and safety of ultrafiltration (UF) in 44 hospitalised patients who had decompensated heart failure and diuretic resistance between October 2011 and July 2013. RESULTS: Among the 44 patients, 18 received UF (i.e. UF group), while 26 received diuretics (i.e. standard care group). After 48 hours, the UF group achieved lower urine output (1,355 mL vs. 3,815 mL, p = 0.0003), greater fluid loss (5,058 mL vs. 1,915 mL, p < 0.0001) and greater weight loss (5.0 kg vs. 1.0 kg, p < 0.0001) than the standard care group. The UF group also had a shorter duration of hospitalisation (5.0 days vs. 9.5 days, p = 0.0010). There were no differences in the incidence of 30-day emergency department visits and rehospitalisations for heart failure between the two groups. At 90 days, the UF group had fewer emergency department visits (0.2 vs. 0.8, p = 0.0500) and fewer rehospitalisations for heart failure (0.3 vs. 1.0, p = 0.0442). Reduction in EQ-5D™ scores was greater in the UF group, both at discharge (2.7 vs. 1.4, p = 0.0283) and 30 days (2.5 vs. 0.3, p = 0.0033). No adverse events were reported with UF. CONCLUSION: UF is an effective and safe treatment that can improve the health outcomes of Asian patients with decompensated heart failure and diuretic resistance.