Coronary stent infection: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Coronary stent infection (CSI) is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
• Existing data on CSI is primarily limited to case reports, hindering comprehensive understanding.
• CSI presents with diverse and often ambiguous clinical manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize reported cases of coronary stent infection.
• To consolidate information on clinical presentations, causative pathogens, diagnostic methods, and treatments for CSI.
• To analyze risk factors and outcomes associated with CSI.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of three online databases and reference lists.
• Inclusion of case reports and case series focusing on coronary artery stent infections.
• Exclusion of reviews, commentaries, non-English articles, and studies with prior dialysis or surgery history.

Main Results:

• Thirty-two studies involving 34 patients were analyzed.
• CSI predominantly affected males; common symptoms included chest pain and fever.
• Drug-eluting stents showed a higher infection risk; Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were common pathogens.
• Aneurysms were frequent abnormalities; antibiotics and surgery were common treatments.
• The calculated mortality rate for CSI was 26.47%.

Conclusions:

• CSI is a serious complication with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and potentially surgery, are crucial.
• Further research is needed to better understand and prevent CSI, particularly concerning stent types and pathogens.