[Internal medicine complications of ventriculoatrial shunt]

Ventriculo-atrial shunts (VASs) and ventriculo-peritoneal shunts (VPSs) are the symptomatic treatment of choice for hydrocephalus. Bacterial contamination of the atrial part of VASs (usually with Staphylococcus epidermidis) can result in further organ complications, in most instances immune complex mediated glomerulonephritis ("shunt-nephritis") or direct microbial heart valve destruction.

In a retrospective study, we analyzed clinical and laboratory data of 11 patients with VAS associated complications as well as the course of the disease.

The following complications were observed: glomerulonephritis (n = 9), glomerulonephritis and aortic valve destruction (n = 1), pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid valve insufficiency (n = 1). Out of the 11 patients, 8 suffered from unexplained fever. All 11 patients had elevated circulating immune complexes. In 3 of 4 patients initially requiring dialysis, renal function improved which allowed to stop hemodialysis. Renal function also improved in 3 of 5 patients who presented with elevated serum creatinine. Unfortunately, the patient with multiple pulmonary embolisms and tricuspid valve insufficiency died of progressive pulmonary hypertension.

The prognosis for impaired renal function is good only if the VAS infection is diagnosed early and an immediate surgical and antibiotic treatment leads to an eradication of the underlying chronic infection.