Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
08:56
Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
MRSA mycotic aneurysm associated with infected pacemaker leads
Anthony Weinstock1, Tung To1, Hamza Rashid1
1Department of Graduate Medical Education - Internal Medicine, LewisGale Medical Center, 1900 Electric Rd., Salem, VA 24153, USA.
Idcases
|June 8, 2026
Summary
A persistent MRSA bacteremia case highlights a thoracic mycotic aneurysm. Atherosclerosis and an AICD contributed, necessitating device explant due to infected leads.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia poses significant clinical challenges.
- Mycotic aneurysms, particularly in the thoracic aorta, are rare but life-threatening complications of bacteremia.
- Underlying conditions like atherosclerosis and indwelling medical devices can increase infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of descending thoracic mycotic aneurysm secondary to persistent MRSA bacteremia.
- To illustrate the diagnostic utility of FDG-PET and CTA in identifying complex infections.
- To highlight the management challenges, including device explantation, in such cases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoroglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for initial lesion identification.
- Employed computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for detailed characterization of the mycotic aneurysm.
- Managed persistent MRSA bacteremia and device-related infection, including AICD explant.
Main Results:
- Identified a descending thoracic mycotic aneurysm in a 75-year-old woman with persistent MRSA bacteremia.
- FDG-PET and CTA were crucial in diagnosing and characterizing the aneurysm.
- Explantation of the automatic-implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD) was required due to MRSA-infected leads.
Conclusions:
- Persistent MRSA bacteremia can lead to serious complications like thoracic mycotic aneurysms.
- Multimodality imaging, including FDG-PET and CTA, is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- Management requires addressing both the infection and the source, often involving device removal.
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