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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat
Published on: June 4, 2012
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis following repair of tetralogy of Fallot
Y Tokuda1, M Matsumoto, T Sugita
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tenri Hospital, 200 Mishima, Tenri 632-8552, Japan.
Abstract:
Infectious endocarditis following cardiac surgery, particularly that caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, aureus is a rare and highly lethal complication. We report a case of a 2-year-old girl who developed methicillin-resistant S. aureus endocarditis and mediastinitis following the intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot using Dacron patches. The patient enveloped severe bacteremia accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation and progressive enlargement of vegetation. Despite this condition, the patient was successfully treated by repair using double autogenous pericardial patches. Aggressive removal of foreign material and replacement with autogenous tissue resulted in a favorable outcome.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis is a rare complication after heart surgery. Successful treatment involved replacing synthetic patches with the patient
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Infectious endocarditis post-cardiac surgery, especially MRSA, presents a high mortality risk.
- Tetralogy of Fallot repair with Dacron patches can be complicated by infection.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old girl developed MRSA endocarditis and mediastinitis after cardiac repair.
- The patient experienced severe bacteremia, DIC, and vegetation growth.
Findings:
- Successful treatment was achieved by replacing Dacron patches with autogenous pericardial tissue.
- Aggressive debridement of foreign material and use of autologous tissue were key.
Implications:
- This case highlights the efficacy of autogenous tissue in complex cardiac repair revisions.
- Minimizing foreign material in pediatric cardiac surgery may reduce infectious complications.
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