In normally functioning prosthetic heart valves, subclinical hemolysis is a frequent finding. A low incidence of hemolysis is found in stented biologic prostheses, and it is absent in stentless aortic valves. Modifications of valve design may contribute to minimize the occurrence of hemolysis in mechanical prostheses.

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Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used for the treatment of advanced heart failure. LVADs improve quality of life and decrease mortality, but the driveline carries substantial risk for major infections. These device-related LVAD and driveline infections are difficult to diagnose with conventional imaging. We reviewed and analysed the current literature on the additive value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging for the diagnosis of LVAD-related infections." Materials/methods We performed a systematic literature review using several databases from their inception until the 31st of December, 2019. Studies investigating the diagnostic performance of FDG-PET/CT in patients with suspected LVAD infection were retrieved. After a bias risk assessment using QUADAS-2, a study-aggregate meta-analysis was performed on a per examination-based analysis. Results A total of 10 studies were included in the systematic review, eight of which were also eligible for study-aggregate metaanalysis. For the meta-analysis, a total of 256 FDG-PET/CT scans, examining pump/pocket and/or driveline infection, were This article is part of the Topical Collection on Infection and inflammation B. Sinha and A. W. J. M. Glaudemans are shared authorship Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (