Identifying key CT features and clinical variables for predicting operative management of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) driveline infections

Purpose: Despite technical advancements in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), driveline infections (DLIs) remain a common complication evaluated by CT. The purpose of this study was to assess CT imaging features and clinical variables associated with operative versus non-operative management of LVAD DLIs. Materials/methods: This study analyzed 129 patients with LVAD driveline infections evaluated using CT. Two radiologists assessed CT scans for superficial and deep soft tissue stranding and fluid collections. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of operative management using imaging and clinical variables, guided by Akaike information criterion. Results were reported as odds ratios, and Interreader agreement was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa. Results: Operative management was performed in 46.8% of patients. Positive driveline cultures (94.8% vs. 43.5%, p < 0.001) and new antibiotic use (98.3% vs. 72.7%, p < 0.001) were strongly associated with operative intervention. Mild subcutaneous fat stranding was the most frequent CT finding (62.6% and 66.9% by Readers 1 and 2, respectively), whereas deep fluid collections were rare (4.8–5.6%). Clinical predictors of operative management included new antibiotic use (p = 0.036), positive cultures (p < 0.001), and LVAD type. The resulting model achieved an AUC of 0.851 and overall accuracy of 78.6%. The absence of superficial fat stranding on CT significantly predicted non-operative management (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Positive driveline cultures, recent antibiotic initiation, and absence of skin or subcutaneous fat stranding on CT were associated with non-operative management in LVAD-related driveline infections. Absence of superficial fat stranding on CT may help distinguish suspected driveline infections that are unlikely to require surgical intervention.