Cytomegalovirus reactivation and colitis after left ventricular assist device placement

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. e348 - e351
• Main Authors: Sandkovsky, Uriel, Florescu, Diana F, Um, John Y, Raichlin, Eugenia, Lowes, Brian D, Kapalis, Matthew, Hewlett, Alexander, Duncan, Kim F, Ryan, Timothy, DiMaio, Dominick, Wedel, Whitney, Kalil, Andre C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2013
• Subjects: Cardiac Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Colitis - virology; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus - physiology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - diagnosis; Cytomegalovirus Infections - virology; Cytomegalovirus reactivation; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - virology; Heart Failure - surgery; Heart-Assist Devices; Humans; Infectious Disease; Left ventricular assist device; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Risk Factors; Virus Activation; Left ventricular assist device; Cytomegalovirus; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Cytomegalovirus reactivation
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.11.029

Summary We describe two patients who developed gastrointestinal bleeding due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis after placement of a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We aim to raise awareness of CMV colitis as a possible cause of gastrointestinal bleeding after LVAD placement and discuss potential mechanisms for CMV reactivation and areas for future research.