Antibiotics for implantable assist devices

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD-SGM on January 25, 1998 at 22:16:05:

In Reply to: Antibiotics for implantable assist devices posted by Heather on January 23, 1998 at 11:39:52:

: I am a pharmacist at University of Michigan Medical Center working with our cardiothoracic service.  We are evaluating our antibiotic usage for different types of procedures.  What antibiotics are you using post-operatively for implantable assist devices (e.g Heartmate)?  How long are you continuing antibiotics after surgery if patients show no signs of infection?  I appreciate any information you can share with me.  Thank you.

[CCF Cardio MD-SGM]

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Dear Heather,
For our LVADs (Novacor and Heartmate) we use Vancomycin q12h for three days only.    If there is fever or leukocytosis with no source or positive culture, we empirically use Vancomycin plus Cefepine for three days as our routine prophylaxis.  If everything is okay at 3 days, then antibiotics are discontinued.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.