Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2899558 Cardiovascular Pathology 2006 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

Ventricular assist devices improve hemodynamics in patients with heart failure, but like most implantable medical devices, they are prone to infection; organisms that are adept at forming biofilm cause most of these. Biofilm confers many advantages to the organisms, including protecting them against natural host defenses and antimicrobial therapies. This review will focus on the mechanisms of biofilm formation, including quorum sensing and subsequent changes in microbial gene and protein expression. Novel therapies targeting these processes, as well as improvements in device design and clinical management, have begun to emerge and will aid in the management of these recalcitrant infections.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Authors
,