Impact of magnetic resonance imaging on functional integrity of non-conditional cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have historically restricted the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to the potential clinical and configurational risks associated with electromagnetic interference. In this study, the authors investigated the impact of MRI on the functional integrity of non-conditional CIEDs and their clinical correlates. METHODS: In this prospective, observational single-center study, we enrolled patients undergoing MRI over a 5-year period. Prior to assessing the impact of MRI on CIEDs, we performed interrogations in sequential duplication to assess the intrinsic variability of devices. Subsequently, we performed interrogations immediately after MRI, and monitored changes in device parameters and clinical events. RESULTS: We completed 492 MRI studies, 58% in patients with permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and 42% with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Subsequent MRI exposures occurred in 15% encounters. Accounting for intrinsic variability in CIED leads, there were no significant changes in RA, RV, or LV parameters after MRI, regardless of the region imaged (thoracic vs. non-thoracic), type of CIED (PPMs vs. ICDs) and among those with serial MRIs. When ranked for % change pre- to post-MRI, the majority of RA, RV, and LV metrics for thresholds, sensing, and impedance conformed to ≤20% change from baseline. No significant clinical adverse cardiac events or effect on device microcircuitry occurred during the study. CONCLUSION: Incorporating a novel reproducibility tactic, there were neither clinically meaningful device parameter changes nor adverse clinical events during or following MRIs, suggesting the effects of MRI on non-conditional CIED integrity are far less than previously perceived.

The use of contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography for spiral-variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common heritable cardiomyopathy with various clinical phenotypes. A rare spiral variant has been recently reported that has been associated with adverse outcomes and has traditionally been diagnosed using cardiac magnetic resonance. We report a case of the rare variant spiral hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where we used transthoracic echocardiography with an ultrasound enhancing agent to demonstrate the geometry of spiral hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and compared to simultaneous cardiac MRI images. The use of echocardiography with ultrasound enhancing agents may prove to be a valuable tool in identifying the geometry of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy variants in selected patients.

Sofosbuvir-Based Therapy in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Cancer Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Data are sparse on treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in cancer patients. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based therapy (SOFBT) in cancer patients. METHODS: Patients treated with SOFBT at our center during 2014-2017 were included in a prospective observational study. Efficacy [sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12)], cancer-related outcomes and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. RESULTS: We included 153 patients. Most were men (109; 71%), white (92; 60%), non-cirrhotic (105; 69%), and with HCV genotype 1 (110; 72%). The most common cancers were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (27; 18%) and multiple myeloma (14; 9%). The overall SVR12 rate was 91% (128/141). SVR12 was 100% in patients treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 8 weeks. Of the 32 patients initially excluded from cancer clinical trials because of HCV, 27 (84%) were granted cancer therapy access after starting SOFBT. Six patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) received SOFBT without cancer treatment. Two achieved complete remission, one had partial remission, and two had stable cancer. Within 6 months after SOFBT, 5% (6/121) of patients in remission or with stable cancer, had progression or recurrence (two with HCC and one each with esophageal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, NHL, and tonsillar cancer). No de novo HCCs occurred. AEs were most commonly grade 1-2 (90%). CONCLUSIONS: SOFBT in HCV-infected cancer patients is effective and safe, may permit access to investigational cancer therapy expanding treatment options, may induce remission of NHL, and may be used for 8 weeks.

Leukopenia and lack of ribavirin predict poor outcomes in patients with haematological malignancies and respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. However, studies describing this infection in patients with haematological malignancies are scarce. We sought to evaluate the clinical impact of RSV infection on this patient population. Methods: We reviewed the records of patients with haematological malignancies and RSV infections cared for at our institution between January 2000 and March 2013. Results: Of the 181 patients, 71 (39%) had AML, ALL or myelodysplastic syndrome, 12 (7%) had CML or CLL, 4 (2%) had Hodgkin lymphoma, 35 (19%) had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 59 (33%) had multiple myeloma. Most patients [117 (65%)] presented with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and 15 (13%) had a subsequent lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). The overall LRTI rate was 44% and the 90 day mortality rate was 15%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that having both neutropenia and lymphocytopenia (adjusted OR = 7.17, 95% CI = 1.94-26.53, P < 0.01) and not receiving ribavirin-based therapy during RSV URTI (adjusted OR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.01-0.11, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for LRTI. Having both neutropenia and lymphocytopenia at RSV diagnosis was also a risk factor for death at 90 days after RSV diagnosis (adjusted OR = 4.32, 95% CI = 1.24-15.0, P = 0.021). Conclusions: Patients with haematological malignancies and RSV infections, especially those with immunodeficiency, may be at risk of LRTI and death; treatment with ribavirin during RSV URTI may prevent these outcomes.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents.

There is paucity of literature regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. In the study described herein we evaluated several aspects of HCV infection in HCT recipients, including the impact of this infection on cancer status, liver-related outcomes, mortality, and the role of antiviral treatment (AVT), including direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The medical records of HCV-infected allogeneic and autologous HCT recipients, seen at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from August 2009 to November 2015, were reviewed. Patients seen from August 1, 2009 to October 30, 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, whereas those seen from November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2015 were analyzed prospectively in an observational study. Of 434 HCV-infected cancer patients evaluated, 64 underwent 69 HCTs. Most (78%) underwent autologous transplantation. Thirteen percent of patients became HCV-seronegative post-HCT. Compared with patients who did not receive AVT, treated patients had fewer relapses of HCV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphomas (20% versus 86%; P = .015), higher 5-year survival rates (75% versus 39%; P = .02), and a trend toward lower rate of progression to cirrhosis (5% versus 21%; P = .06). AVT discontinuation rate post-HCT was 71% in those receiving IFN-containing regimens and 0% in those receiving DAAs (P < .01). AVT was effective in 12 of 37 patients (32%) and 11 of 13 patients (85%) receiving IFN-based and DAA regimens, respectively (P = .003). HCV is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. HCV seropositivity can be lost post-HCT, posing a diagnostic challenge. Treatment of HCV infection in HCT recipients improves both oncologic and hepatic outcomes. These patients can be successfully treated with DAAs.

Study on the comparative activity of echinocandins on murine gut colonization by Candida albicans.

Colonization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by Candida species is a principal pathogenetic event for development of invasive candidiasis. Importantly, the effect of echinocandins, the preferred antifungal agents for treatment of invasive candidiasis, on GI tract colonization by Candida spp. is currently unknown. Herein, we used an established model of persistent murine GI tract colonization by Candida albicans to test the ability of different echinocandins to eradicate the yeast from murine gut. Adult male Crl:CD1 (ICR) BR mice were fed with chow containing C. albicans and subsequently treated with different echinocandins or normal saline via daily intraperitoneal injections for 10 days. Quantitative stool cultures were performed immediately before (week one), and weekly for three months after discontinuation of treatment. Notably, treatment with all three echinocandins used (caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin) resulted in eradication of Candida albicans from the stools, as evidenced by the significant reduction of yeast cells from a mean of 4.2 log10 CFU/g of stool before treatment (week one of colonization) to undetectable (<2 log10 CFU/g of stool) levels (week 12, P < 0.0001). In contrast, there was no significant reduction of Candida yeast cells in the stools of control mice. Collectively, the ability of echinocandins to eradicate C. albicans from the stools could have important implications in prophylaxis of high-risk patients for development of invasive candidiasis originating from the GI tract.

Impact of hepatitis E virus seropositivity on chronic liver disease in cancer patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM: Immunocompromised patients can develop chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and progress to cirrhosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected cancer patients who have received chemotherapeutic agents experience accelerated liver fibrosis progression. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and impact of HEV seropositivity on liver-related outcomes in HCV-infected cancer patients. METHODS: As part of a prospective study of HCV-infected cancer patients conducted at our center, we investigate the characteristics associated with progression of their liver disease. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients tested, 13 (11%) were positive for HEV immunoglobulin G. HEV seropositivity was associated with advanced age (P = 0.004), race (P = 0.02), place of birth outside the USA (P = 0.021), cirrhosis (P = 0.027), history of reused needles/syringes during massive vaccination campaigns (P = 0.015) and coronary artery disease (P = 0.039). Overall, 47 (41%) of the patients had cirrhosis. Factors independently associated with cirrhosis were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; P = 0.028) and HEV seropositivity (OR, 4.1; P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: HEV seropositivity is present in 11% of HCV-infected cancer patients and seems to be associated with cirrhosis. Our results suggest that HEV screening should be implemented in HCV-infected patients with cancer.

Echocardiographic Differences in Women Across Subtypes of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) can be classified into gestational hypertension, preeclampsia (PRE), and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia (SPE). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine the echocardiographic differences in biventricular structure and function in 3 HDP groups of women in comparison to normotensive pregnant controls. Methods: Women with an echocardiogram during or within the first year of pregnancy were identified within our integrated health network. Exclusion criteria included age <18 years, diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, malignancy, autoimmune disease, and structural heart disease. Results: We identified a total of 706 subjects (cases: n = 427, normotensive controls: n = 279). Cases were divided into 3 groups: gestational hypertension (n = 57), PRE (n = 291), and SPE (n = 79). In adjusted analyses, echocardiographic parameters demonstrated a graded difference in left ventricular (LV) mass index, relative wall thickness, mitral inflow E, mitral inflow A, septal e', lateral e', E/e', left atrial volume index, tricuspid velocity, and lateral e' velocities with the most profound findings noted in the SPE group. Specifically, adjusted LV mass index (adjusted ß = 14.45, 95% CI: 9.00-19.90) and E/e' (adjusted ß = 2.97, 95% CI: 2.27-3.68) was highest in the SPE group in comparison to controls (P < 0.001). Conclusions: LV remodeling and diastolic filling abnormalities are more common in HDP and are most evident in SPE and PRE. Echocardiography during or immediately after pregnancy may be useful in these high-risk women to identify these abnormalities. The long-term implications of these echocardiographic abnormalities require further study.

Prognostic role of pulmonary hemodynamics before transcatheter aortic valve replacement among patients with severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently co-exists in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). In this study, we sought to identify the implications of invasive pulmonary hemodynamics on major adverse cardiac events (MACE), biventricular function and NYHA functional class after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS: Invasive hemodynamics via right heart catheterization (RHC) were performed pre-TAVR. Patients were stratified per mean PA pressure (mPAP), diastolic pulmonary gradient (DPG) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and followed at 1-month and 1-year intervals up to 6 years. MACE outcomes included cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalizations post-TAVR. RESULTS: Among 215 patients, Kaplan-Meir estimates demonstrated an increased 1-year risk of MACE from 8% among those without pre-TAVR PH to 27% among patients with pre-existing PH. Specifically, the MACE risk was 32% among PH patients with PVR ≥ 3WU (p = .04) and 53% among PH patients with DPG ≥ 7 mm Hg (p < .01). On univariate Cox regression, RV stroke work index (RVSWI) (HR,1.02; p = .02), and pulmonary hemodynamic index (PHI) (HR,1.27; p = .047) were identified as additional predictors of MACE post-TAVR. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, SvO2 (HR, 0.95; p = .01) and PVR (HR, 1.2; p = .04) were demonstrated as predictive of MACE post-TAVR. A significant improvement in LVEF (2-Factor ANOVA, p < .01) and RV fractional area change (RVFAC%) (p < .01) was noted as assessed at baseline, 1-month and 1-year follow up post-TAVR. There was a significant interaction between pre-TAVR PH status and time post procedure with respect to NYHA functional class (p = .03), that is, the manner and degree of change in NYHA class over time depended on pre-TAVR PH status. CONCLUSIONS: Defining invasive pulmonary hemodynamics, such as mPAP, PVR, and DPG among patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR has significant prognostic implications. Routine risk stratification by utilizing invasive hemodynamics can better identify patients who will have functional improvement and improved outcomes post-TAVR.

Acute Severe Aortic Regurgitation From Catastrophic Pannus Obstruction in a Patient With Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement.

A 69-year-old woman with a mechanical aortic valve presented with decompensated heart failure. Emergent echocardiogram and fluoroscopy demonstrated acute aortic regurgitation due to a dysfunctional mechanical aortic valve and non-obstructive coronary disease. An emergent valve replacement was performed confirming a fixed-open valve with pathology demonstrating obstructive pannus formation without thrombosis or vegetation.

Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Resource Utilization and In-hospital Outcomes Among Those Admitted for Atrial Fibrillation: A National Analysis.

Disparities in overall outcomes for atrial fibrillation (AF) across racial and ethnic groups have been demonstrated in prior studies. We aim to evaluate in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization across 3 racial/ethnic groups with AF using contemporary data. We identified patients admitted with AF in the National Inpatient Sample registry from 2015 to 2018. ICD-10-CM codes were used to identify variables of interest. The primary outcomes were in-hospital complications and resource utilization. There were 1,250,075 AF admissions. Our sample was made up of 85.49% White, 8.12% Black, and 6.38% Hispanic patients. Black patients were younger but had a higher burden of cardiovascular comorbidities including obesity, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Social determinants were also less favorable in Black patients, with a higher percentage of Medicaid insurance and a high proportion of patients being in the lowest percentile for household income. Total hospital charge was highest in Hispanic patients. Despite higher rates of gastrointestinal bleed, Black patients were least likely to undergo left atrial appendage occlusion device implantation. Black and Hispanic patients were less like to undergo catheter ablation therapy. Black race was an independent predictor of mortality, stroke, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, hemodynamic shock, need for vasopressor, upper gastrointestinal bleed, need for blood transfusion, total hospital charges, and length of stay when compared to other groups. Disparities exist in the risk of AF, and its management among racial and ethnic groups. Health care costs and inpatient outcomes disproportionately impact minorities in the United States.

Contemporary use of cardiac imaging for COVID-19 patients: a three center experience defining a potential role for cardiac MRI.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) secondary to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has bestowed an unprecedented challenge upon us, resulting in an international public health emergency. COVID-19 has already resulted in > 1,600,000 deaths worldwide and the fear of a global economic collapse. SARS-CoV-2 is notorious for causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, however emerging literature suggests various dreaded cardiac manifestations associated with high mortality. The mechanism of myocardial damage in COVID-19 is unclear but thought to be multifactorial and mainly driven by the host's immune response (cytokine storm), hypoxemia and direct myocardial injury by the virus. Cardiac manifestations from COVID-19 include but are not limited to, acute myocardial injury, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac imaging is paramount to appropriately diagnose and manage the cardiac manifestations of COVID-19. Herein, we present cardiac imaging findings of COVID-19 patients with biomarker and imaging confirmed myocarditis to provide insight regarding the variable manifestations of COVID-19 myocarditis via Cardiac MRI (CMR) coupled with CMR-edema education along with recommendations on how to incorporate advanced CMR into the clinicians' COVID-19 armamentarium.

Propitious temporal changes in clinical outcomes after transcatheter compared to surgical aortic valve replacement; a meta-analysis of over 65,000 patients.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) has rapidly evolved over the past decade, in both transcatheter (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), resulting in reported improved clinical outcomes. Operator experience and technical improvements have improved outcomes especially for patients undergoing TAVR. We sought to determine and compare 1-year outcomes using a contemporary meta-analysis. METHOD: We searched the Medline (MESH), Cochrane and Google scholar databases using keywords "AS", "atrial fibrillation" (AFib) and "stroke". We performed a meta-analysis to compare TAVR with SAVR populations for post-procedural stroke, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 1-year. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies met criteria for analysis with total population of 66,857 patients, of which 61,913 had TAVR and 4944 had SAVR. Temporal trends demonstrated overall improvement in outcome for both, TAVR and SAVR groups through the decade. Outcomes, in terms of stroke (3.1% vs. 5%), all-cause (12.4% vs. 10.3%) and cardiovascular mortality (7.2% vs. 6.2%) were similar at 1-year, in TAVR versus SAVR, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite overall gradual improvement in both TAVR and SAVR outcomes over the decade, there is a statistical overlap in confidence intervals for all-cause, cardiovascular mortality and postprocedural stroke at 1-year. While 23 individual studies demonstrate considerable advantages of each technique in certain cohorts, integrating over 65,000 pts with our stratified surgical analysis suggests that TAVR is comparable to SAVR for low and intermediate risk population while superior to SAVR only in the highest-risk population for short and intermediate term outcomes. This has substantial socio-economic implications as we contemplate expanding our TAVR indications to low/intermediate risk populations.

Taking the time to get it bright: Use of ultrasound enhancing agent redirects clinical course of an unstable patient.

The use of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEA) during echocardiography helps to optimize visualization in technically difficult studies, with improved left ventricular opacification and endocardial border definition. The use of these agents may often unveil critical data that drastically alter clinical decision making. Despite the potential clinical benefits of UEA and known safety data, clinicians are still sometimes reluctant to take the time to use UEAs in unstable patients. Herein, we demonstrate a challenging case of a patient with late presentation myocardial infarction, complicated with cardiogenic shock and pseudoaneurysm formation that was not observed in non-contrast images, emblematically demonstrating the value of UEA in selected patients. .

Breakthrough Mucormycosis Developing on Mucorales-Active Antifungals Portrays a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Hematologic Cancer.

Although breakthrough mucormycosis (BT-MCR) is known to develop on mold-active antifungals without Mucorales activity, it can also occur while on Mucorales-active antifungals. Herein, we retrospectively compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) who developed BT-MCR on mold-active antifungals with or without Mucorales activity. Of the patients developing BT-MCR, 16 were on Mucorales-active antifungals (9 isavuconazole, 6 posaconazole, 1 amphotericin B), and 87 were on other mold-active agents (52 voriconazole, 22 echinocandins, 8 itraconazole, 5 echinocandin + voriconazole). Both groups were largely comparable in clinical characteristics. Patients developing BT-MCR while on Mucorales-active antifungals had higher 42-day mortality, from either symptom onset (63% versus 25%, p = 0.006) or treatment initiation (69% versus 39%, p = 0.028). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, exposure to Mucorales-active antifungals prior to BT-MCR had a hazard ratio of 2.40 (p = 0.015) for 42-day mortality from treatment initiation and 4.63 (p < 0.001) for 42-day mortality from symptom onset. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission and APACHE II score at diagnosis, non-recovered severe neutropenia, active HM, and amphotericin B/caspofungin combination treatment were additional independent predictors of 42-day mortality. In summary, BT-MCR on Mucorales-active antifungals portrays poor prognosis in HM/HSCT patients. Moreover, improvements in early diagnosis and treatment are urgently needed in these patients.

Impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement on left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and quality of life in patients with preserved left ventricular function.

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Due to positive impact on transvalvular hemodynamics, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is expected to improve LV remodeling, LVDD and heart failure (HF)-related quality-of-life (QoL). We identified patients with severe AS and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% who underwent TAVR. We reviewed pre-procedure, 1-month and 1-year post-TAVR transthoracic echocardiograms to assess LV volumetric changes and diastolic function. QoL was assessed by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). In 171 patients studied, we found significant improvement in LV mass index (LVMI), LV end-systolic diameter and LV end-diastolic diameter from baseline to 1-month to 1-year post-TAVR. Predictors of LVMI regression included greater change from baseline in mean aortic valve (AV) gradient, peak AV velocity, and improvements in septal and lateral e' velocities and E/e' post-TAVR. The percentage of patients with ≥ grade 2 LVDD decreased from 65% to 53% at 1-month and 49% at 1-year. A significant improvement in symptomatology, as reported by KCCQ score was also noted. There is conceivable reverse LV remodeling post-TAVR, impacted by improvements in mean AV gradient, peak AV velocity, E/e', medial and lateral e' velocities, which occurs immediately post-TAVR and persists up to 1-year post-operatively. This is associated with concomitant improvement in LVDD and HF-related QoL as demonstrated by KCCQ scores.

An Interesting Case of COVID-19 Induced Reversed Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Insight on Cardiac Biomarkers.

Cardiovascular involvement is common in COVID-19 patients and is associated with increased mortality, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiac comorbidities. Elevated levels of troponin have been noted to predict worse prognosis for COVID-19 patients, regardless the physiology of insult. We report a case of a 65-year old man who was admitted for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 disease that rapidly decompensated and required mechanical ventilation. He responded well with medical treatment and was successfully extubated. Interestingly, his serum troponin T levels remained negative (<0.01 ng/mL) until day 10, when it was noted to be elevated despite him being completely asymptomatic. Echocardiogram revealed new left ventricular wall motion abnormalities suggestive of reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately, he suffered from a pulseless electrical arrest less than 24 hours later and eventually expired. This case shows that a policy of trending troponin levels may be valuable as a screening tool for critically ill COVID-19 patients and may be beneficial for early silent validation of cardiovascular involvement in these patients, who could otherwise be asymptomatic yet presage adverse clinical events. Moreover, using troponin as a screening tool may lead to decreased utilization of echocardiography and reduce the exposure of COVID-19 to healthcare workers.

Bloodstream Infections in Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients: Diagnostic and Clinical Implications.

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a common complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support and particularly difficult to treat. The presentation is often variable because of altered physiology and augmentation of cardiac output by the device. We studied LVAD recipients at a single institution. Multivariate logistic and Cox (with time-varying parameters) regression were implemented. Of 212 patients, 58% experienced infections. Driveline infection (DLI) affected 31%, with 60% of them having deep-tissue involvement. Sixty-six patients (31%) suffered from 135 BSIs. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was present in 47% of BSIs at presentation and associated with increased mortality. Right heart failure, destination therapy, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile, morbid obesity, and deep-DLI were independent risk factors for BSI. The BSI was independently associated with mortality. Bridge-to-transplantation (BTT) patients were more likely to receive transplant if they did not have BSIs. Among 104 BTT patients who received heart transplantation, development of BSI was associated with shorter time-to-transplantation. Diagnosis of BSI poses diagnostic and prognostic challenges because of the hemodynamic profile of LVAD patients who may not mount the expected physiologic response to sepsis. Although SIRS criteria lack sensitivity in the LVAD population, SIRS signifies increased risk for death. Deep DLI was the strongest predictor of BSI. Despite the upgrade in listing status of BTT-LVADs with BSIs and shorter time-to-transplantation, BSI remain a major cause of mortality. BSIs are associated with significant mortality and should be regarded as a serious complication, similar to pump thrombosis and stroke.