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The use of biodegradable amikacin microspheres to prevent vascular graft infection

A L Ney1, J A Granja, P A Schuster

  • 1Department of Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Insights

Biodegradable polymer microspheres loaded with amikacin antibiotic (PAM) effectively prevent and eradicate bacterial infections in contaminated vascular grafts. This study shows PAM significantly reduces clinical graft infections and bacterial presence in polytetrafluoroethylene grafts.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Infectious Disease Research
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular grafts are susceptible to bacterial contamination and infection, leading to significant morbidity.
  • Developing effective strategies to prevent graft infection is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated biodegradable polymer microspheres in preventing and eradicating bacterial infections in contaminated PTFE vascular grafts.
  • To assess the performance of poly(glycolide-co-dl-lactide) amikacin microspheres (PAM) in a canine model.

Main Methods:

  • Poly(glycolide-co-dl-lactide) amikacin microspheres (PAM) were prepared to deliver amikacin at two doses (100 mg and 300 mg).
  • Mongrel dogs underwent infrarenal aorta replacement with PTFE grafts contaminated with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Grafts were covered with PAM (100 or 300 mg) or left untreated (control), with analysis 14 days postoperatively.

Main Results:

  • Control grafts showed high rates of clinical infection (7/8) and bacterial contamination (S. aureus in 8/8, E. coli in 5/8).
  • No clinical graft infections were observed in PAM-treated groups (P < 0.001).
  • PAM 100 and PAM 300 significantly reduced bacterial cultures for S. aureus and E. coli compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Poly(glycolide-co-dl-lactide) amikacin microspheres (PAM) effectively prevent clinical graft infections.
  • PAM demonstrates the ability to completely eradicate standardized bacterial inoculums from contaminated PTFE vascular grafts.
  • This antibiotic delivery system shows promise for reducing vascular graft complications.

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