[Propionibacterium granulosum bare-metal stent infection after drug-eluting balloon]

Bare-metal stents are used to treat arterial stenotic lesions. Morbidity and mortality are less important compared with other techniques. Drug-eluting balloons are often used to treat stent stenosis. We reported the case of a bare-metal stent infection after drug-eluting balloon and a review on the subject.

Two weeks after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with paclitaxel-eluting balloon and a bare-metal stent, our patient presented an infection of the stent. Diagnosis was based on the clinical presentation, positron emission tomography findings and isolation of Propionibacterium granulosum in repeated blood cultures. Adapted antibiotic therapy was given for three months with removal of the surgical bare-stent. Antibiotic therapy was interrupted after a second positron emission tomography. A literature search (PubMed and Cochrane) was performed on the subject.

We found 49 cases of peripheral bare-metal stent infection including our patient. This is a rare but serious complication with a high morbidity (25% amputation rate) and mortality (30%). It seems to be underestimated. Treatment is based on surgical ablation of the bare-metal stent and intravenous antibiotics. The role of the paclitaxel-eluting balloon is not clearly established but some authors believe that it can produce a local immunosuppression.

We report the first case of bare-metal stent infection after paclitaxel-eluting balloon. This complication is rare and difficult to diagnose. Manifestations are often limited to skin signs. Functional and vital prognosis is poor.