Facilitating heart transplantability in an end-stage heart failure patient with brain abscess and infected left ventricle assist device-A unique case report

Abstract

Introduction: Heart transplantation is the desired therapy in end-stage heart failure (HF) and in patients with left-ventricular assist devices (LVAD) suffering from life-threatening complications on device. Comorbidities are frequent in end-stage HF and may refrain the patient from being listed for heart transplantation such as infections making surgery impossible.

Presentation of case: We report the first case of a patient with proven LVAD system infection who additionally suffers from a brain abscess that made listing for heart transplantation impossible, leaving this patient no apparent treatment option.

Conclusion: Our extraordinary treatment strategy finally resolved both the brain abscess and LVAD system infection through extensive conservative long-term treatment facilitating this patient to be finally listed for regular heart transplantation and sustained relieve of systemic infection.

Keywords: Antibiotic therapy; Brain abscess; Case report; Heart transplantation; Left ventricular assist device.