• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2022

Purpose: Driveline infection (DLI) is one of the major adverse events of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). The purpose of this study was to explore the incidence of DLI according to the driveline dressing methods. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study that investigated the medical records of 75 patients who implanted LVAD from January 2015 to December 2020 at a hospital in Seoul, Korea. Traditionally, sandwich dressing method was applied until October 2019, after which newly winded dressing method was adopted for driveline dressing to LVAD patients. The outcome variables were compared between sandwich dressing method applied group (n=41) and winded dressing method applied group (n=34). The follow-up period for DLI was 1 year. Results: When compared participants' characteristics, there was no difference between the two groups, except the type of LVAD device. The incidence of DLI was 17.1% in sandwich dressing group, while no infection was found in winded dressing group (p=.011). Conclusion: Although there were difference in the LVAD devices, it is considered that winded dressing contributed to the reduction of DLI. Further research on standardized dressing methods was required for DLI prevention in Korea.