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A Novel Method to Determine the Longitudinal Antibacterial Activity of Drug-Eluting Materials
Published on: March 3, 2023
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Effect of lifelong antibiotic treatment for aortic arch prosthesis infection
Leopold Rupprecht1, Jirka Grosse2, Dirk Hellwig2
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|June 23, 2017
Abstract:
A patient who underwent multiple aortic operations suffered persistent infection of the ascending aorta and arch prosthesis and was finally treated with lifelong antibiotics. An 8-year follow-up with positron emission computed tomography is reported.
Insights
Persistent aortic prosthesis infection after multiple surgeries was managed with lifelong antibiotics. An 8-year follow-up using positron emission computed tomography confirmed the treatment
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Aortic graft infections pose significant challenges, often requiring complex surgical interventions.
- Persistent infection of ascending aorta and arch prostheses can lead to severe complications.
Observation:
- The patient presented with a history of multiple aortic surgeries and ongoing infection of the ascending aorta and arch prosthesis.
- Positron emission computed tomography (PET) was utilized for long-term monitoring of the prosthetic infection.
- The infection persisted despite previous interventions, necessitating an alternative therapeutic approach.
Findings:
- Lifelong antibiotic therapy was implemented as the definitive treatment strategy for the persistent aortic prosthesis infection.
- An 8-year follow-up period was conducted to assess the long-term efficacy of the antibiotic regimen.
- Positron emission computed tomography imaging over 8 years demonstrated successful control of the infection without recurrence.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential role of prolonged antibiotic therapy in managing chronic aortic prosthesis infections.
- Positron emission computed tomography serves as a valuable tool for monitoring treatment response and disease recurrence in complex cardiovascular infections.
- Long-term antibiotic management may offer a viable alternative to reoperation in select patients with persistent prosthetic infections, improving outcomes and quality of life.
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