Microorganisms isolated in patients with post-cardiac surgery mediastinitis at a cardiology hospital of Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: Mediastinitis after cardiovascular surgery gives rise to prolonged hospital stay and increased medical care costs, and is associated with high in-hospital mortality. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with post-surgical mediastinitis, including the isolated microorganisms, resistance profile, and in-hospital survival. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients with bacteriologically-confirmed post-surgical mediastinitis cared for at a cardiology hospital in Mexico City between January 2017 and March 2019. RESULTS: Fifty-eight cases of mediastinitis were included. Median age was 67 years. Most subjects were males who underwent myocardial revascularization. During in-hospital follow-up, all-cause and mediastinitis-related mortality were 27.6% and 20.7%, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli were the most commonly isolated microorganisms. High resistance to methicillin was found in coagulase-negative staphylococci, as well as high expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. CONCLUSIONS: High mortality and significant antimicrobial resistance were found in patients with post-cardiac surgery mediastinitis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La mediastinitis posterior a cirugía cardiovascular deriva en estancia hospitalaria prolongada e incremento de los costos de la atención médica, y se asocia a elevada letalidad hospitalaria. OBJETIVO: Describir las características clínicas de los pacientes con mediastinitis posquirúrgica, incluyendo los microorganismos aislados, perfil de resistencia y supervivencia hospitalaria. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal de pacientes con mediastinitis posquirúrgica bacteriológicamente confirmada, atendidos en un hospital de cardiología de la Ciudad de México entre enero de 2017 y marzo de 2019. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 58 casos de mediastinitis. La mediana de edad fue de 67 años. La mayoría de los sujetos fueron varones sometidos a revascularización miocárdica. Durante el seguimiento hospitalario, la letalidad por todas las causas y la secundaria a la mediastinitis fueron de 27.6 y 20.7 %, respectivamente. Los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados fueron Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis y Escherichia coli. Se encontró alta resistencia a meticilina en los estafilococos coagulasa negativos y alta expresión de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en cepas de Escherichia coli y Klebsiella pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes con mediastinitis posquirúrgica analizados se observó alta letalidad e importante resistencia antimicrobiana.

Comparison between Vacuum-Assisted Closure Technique and Conventional Approach in Patients with Mediastinitis After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Median sternotomy is the most preferred approach in heart surgery. Post-sternotomy mediastinitis is a catastrophic and potentially life-threatening complication with an incidence rate of 0.15% to 5%, and its overall mortality rate reaches 47%. In this study, we aimed to compare the results of vacuum-assisted closure technique and the conventional methods on the management of mediastinitis following isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: Between February 2001 and July 2013, 32,106 patients who underwent cardiac operations were evaluated retrospectively. One hundred and fourteen patients who developed post-sternotomy mediastinitis were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups and compared - vacuum-assisted closure group (n=52, 45.6%) and conventional treatment group (n=62, 54.4%). RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups according to the patients' characteristics, surgical data, and mediastinal cultures. However, we found that total treatment duration for post-sternotomy mediastinitis, time interval from diagnosis to negative culture, hospitalization time, and in-hospital mortality were statistically significantly lower in the vacuum-assisted closure group than in the conventional treatment group (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the vacuum-assisted closure technique improves the medical outcome of patients with post-sternotomy mediastinitis compared with the conventional treatment. The vacuum-assisted closure is a safe and more effective treatment modality for patients with post-sternotomy mediastinitis after cardiac surgery with reasonable morbidity and mortality.

Role of early extraction of odontogenic focus in deep neck infections.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic deep neck infections remain a common condition that presents a challenging issue due to the complex involvement of the neck and adjacent structures and its potential life-threatening risk. Periapical infection of the second or third molar with spread to the submandibular and parapharyngeal spaces is the most commonly observed scenario. However, the time of dental extraction of the infection focus remains controversial. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the epidemiology, clinical and radiological features, and management in patients diagnosed with ODNI and to identify the role of early dental extraction on patient outcomes and recovery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients over 18 years old with a diagnosis of ODNI who were admitted to the University Hospital "Dr Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez" from January 2017 to January 2022. ODNI diagnosis was based on clinical and radiological evidence of the disease supplemented by dental and maxillofacial evaluation for an odontogenic aetiology. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were included in the study. The patients' mean age was 40.96 ± 14.9. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity. The submandibular space was the most common deep neck space involved (n=59, 86.8%). Mediastinitis, marginal nerve injury and orocervical fistula were observed in 7.5% of patients, with no fatality in this series. A delay of >3 days for dental extraction of the involved tooth was associated with an increased rate of mediastinitis (n=3, 100%, p= 0.022), number of surgical interventions (1.45 ± 0.61, p= 0.006), ICU stay (n=8, 40%, p= 0.019), and ICU length of stay (0.85 ± 0.8, p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Expedited management with surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotic treatment, along with early extraction of the involved tooth, is mandatory.

Relationship between mysticism and severe odontogenic infections in Africa: what to do?

OBJECTIVE: This study is a case report of a severe odontogenic infection treated at Huambo Provincial Hospital, Angola. The case was made worse by local mysticism. CASE REPORT: A pregnant woman was treated for a severe odontogenic infection that caused descending mediastinitis and even a lumbar abscess. The patient died of this infection. A delay in attendance was crucial in this death. DISCUSSION: Patients from the African continent commonly experience life-threatening head and neck infections. These critical infections are rarely found in Europe or North America. The clinical situation is aggravated by local mysticism, along with poverty, lack of access to health facilities, and a shortage of skilled workers. Religious habits and the use of local herbs without scientific evidence can create difficult-to-manage situations. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe this is the first report of an association between life-threatening odontogenic infection and mysticism. International collaboration, including teledentistry and continuing education, are critical to transforming this scene.

A Rare Case of Aspergillus Mediastinitis After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Mediastinitis is a serious complication after cardiac surgery; it is a deep sternal wound infection following sternotomy, with clinical evidence and/or microbiological involvement and sternal osteomyelitis. The most common pathogens are Staphylococcus spp (S. aureus), followed by gram-negative organisms. Establishing an etiological diagnosis of fungal mediastinitis is often a challenging issue, given the nonspecific clinical presentation. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with a three-vessel coronary artery disease in a university hospital. The patient had as clinical background hypertension, a body mass index (BMI) of 29.78 kg/m², and no diabetes mellitus. After an uneventful coronary artery bypass surgery, he presented clinical and radiological mediastinitis manifestations on the 9th postoperative day. He was treated with a range of antibiotics, with no clinical improvement until the 33rd postoperative day. Then, mediastinal fluid and biopsied tissue were collected and he was started on voriconazole due to growing Aspergillus spp. On the 93rd postoperative day, he had clinical improvement and, after several exams, was released from the hospital. We present the first report of Aspergillus fumigatus mediastinitis after cardiac surgery in Brazil, successfully treated with voriconazole. CONCLUSIONS Aspergillus infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinitis after coronary surgery, especially in a clinical case of unexplained sepsis, negative blood culture, and no clinical improvement despite antibiotic therapy. This case report highlights that the mediastinal fluid and biopsy tissue culture can be useful for the diagnosis of fungal mediastinitis.

Treatment and Chest Reconstruction for Mediastinitis Following Sternotomy for Cardiac Surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School

Abstract This study presents the method used for chest reconstruction and treatment of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School. After infection control with antibiotic therapy associated with aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy, chest reconstruction is performed using flaps. The advantages and disadvantages of negative pressure wound therapy are discussed, as well as options for flap-based chest reconstruction according to the characteristics of the patient and sternum. Further studies are needed to provide evidence to support the decisions when facing this great challenge.

Treatment and Chest Reconstruction for Mediastinitis Following Sternotomy for Cardiac Surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School.

This study presents the method used for chest reconstruction and treatment of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School. After infection control with antibiotic therapy associated with aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy, chest reconstruction is performed using flaps. The advantages and disadvantages of negative pressure wound therapy are discussed, as well as options for flap-based chest reconstruction according to the characteristics of the patient and sternum. Further studies are needed to provide evidence to support the decisions when facing this great challenge.

Mediastinitis necrotizante descendente de origen odontogénico / Descending necrotizing mediastinitis of odontogenic origin

Resumen Introducción: El tratamiento inoportuno e ineficaz de las infecciones odontogénicas puede causar complicaciones potencialmente mortales como la mediastinitis necrotizante descendente (MND). La MDN es una infección grave que afecta al cuello-tórax, con una alta tasa de mortalidad por sepsis e insuficiencia orgánica si no se trata de manera rápida y efectiva. Objetivo: Describir un caso de MND de origen odontogénico y su manejo médico-quirúrgico. Caso clínico: Presentamos un paciente de sexo masculino de 34 años que ingresa con un cuadro infeccioso agudo de origen odontogénico, que compromete espacios de la cabeza, cuello y tórax (mediastino superior), el cual se trata exitosamente. Discusión: Las infecciones odontogénicas son generalmente localizadas y que se pueden tratar mediante terapias convencionales. A pesar de esto, si estas infecciones no pueden controlarse, ya sea por no realización de tratamientos oportunos o por estados inmunosuprimidos del paciente, se pueden desarrollar diferentes complicaciones como la MND. Conclusión: Un diagnóstico rápido, el tratamiento quirúrgico agresivo, la terapia antibiótica adecuada y la atención de apoyo son los pilares fundamentales para el manejo de la MND.

Introduction: Inappropriate and ineffective treatment of odontogenic infections can cause life-threatening complications such as Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis (MND). MDN is a serious infection that affects the neck-thorax, with a high mortality rate from sepsis and organ failure if it is not treated quickly and effectively. Aim: To describe a case of MND of odontogenic origin and its medical-surgical management. Case report: We present a 34-year-old male patient who is admitted with an acute infectious condition of odontogenic origin, which compromises spaces of the head, neck and thorax (upper mediastinum), which is treated successfully. Discussion: Odontogenic infections are generally localized and can be treated by conventional therapies. In spite of this, if these infections cannot be controlled, either by not carrying out appropriate treatments or by immunosuppressed states of the patient, different complications such as MND can develop. Conclusion: A rapid diagnosis, aggressive surgical treatment, adequate antibiotic therapy and supportive care are the fundamental pillars for the management of MND.

Unilateral pectoralis major muscle flap for the treatment of sternal wounds due to Ludwig's angina.

Necrotising descending mediastinitis may rarely originate from Ludwig's angina, which is an infection of the submandibular space. The use of the bilateral pectoralis major muscle flap for the treatment of sternal wound dehiscence is common, but reports of the unilateral application of this flap are scarce. This study aims to report the use of the unilateral pectoralis major muscle flap for the treatment of sternotomy dehiscence in a patient with mediastinitis due to Ludwig's angina. A 21-year-old male patient underwent an exploratory cervicotomy and median sternotomy for drainage of a submandibular infection that extended to the anterior, retropharyngeal and mediastinal cervical spaces. The patient had dehiscence of the sternal wound, and the unilateral pectoralis major muscle flap was used for reconstruction of the defect. This flap was able to completely cover the area of dehiscence of the sternotomy, and the patient presented a good postoperative evolution, without complications. The reconstruction technique using the unilateral pectoralis major muscle flap was considered a good option for the treatment of sternotomy dehiscence. It is an adjuvant method in the treatment of infections such as mediastinitis and osteomyelitis of the sternum secondary to Ludwig's angina, allowing a stable coverage of the sternum.

Mediastinite após cirurgias valvares cardíacas: revisão integrativa / Mediastinitis after heart valve surgeries: integrative review

A mediastinite é uma infecção do tecido conjuntivo do mediastino, pouco estudada em pacientes submetidos às cirurgias de correção de valvopatias cardíacas. O objetivo deste estudo foiidentificar na literatura as evidências relacionadas à mediastinite em pacientes submetidos às cirurgias para correção de valvopatias cardíacas. Foi realizado uma revisão integrativa com buscas, em cinco bases de dados eletrônicas: LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhoste Web of Science. De acordo com os critérios estabelecidos, quatro artigos foram incluídos para a análise e mostraram aspectos sobre a mediastinite, como: preditores de mortalidade no pré-operatório, contaminação de materiais no intraoperatório etécnica de abordagem cirúrgica. Estudos com enfoque específico à ocorrência de mediastinite nestes pacientes, podem instrumentalizar a equipe de saúde e melhorar a implementação das ações na prática clínica, prevenindo complicações

Mediastinitis is an infection of the connective tissue of the mediastinum that is poorly studied in patients undergoing heart valve repair surgeries. The objective of this study was to identify in the literature the evidence related to mediastinitis in patients undergoing heart valve repair surgeries. An integrative review was performed with searches in five electronic databases, namely: LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost and Web of Science. According to the established criteria, were included four articles for analysis. They all had aspects about mediastinitis, such as: preoperative mortality predictors, intraoperative material contamination, and surgical approach technique. Studies focused specifically on the occurrence of mediastinitis in these patients can instrumentalize the health team andimprove the implementation of clinical practice actions by preventing complications.

Predictors of Mediastinitis Risk after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Applicability of Score in 1. 322 Cases / Preditores de Risco de Mediastinite após Cirurgia de Revascularização do Miocárdio: Aplicabilidade de Score em 1. 322 Casos

Abstract Background: Mediastinitis is a severe surgical complication of low incidence, but high lethality. Scores used in the preoperative period to stratify the risk of postoperative mediastinitis may contribute to improve the results. Objective: To test the applicability of the MagedanzSCORE in predicting the risk factors for mediastinitis in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting at a cardiology reference hospital. Methods: Historical cohort study with adult patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The analyzed variables were contemplated in the MagedanzSCORE: reoperation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, class IV unstable angina, polytransfusion therapy, mediastinitis and death as outcome variables. Results: Of the 1.322 patients examined, 56 (4.2%) developed mediastinitis. Of these, 26 (46.4%) were classified as high risk for mediastinitis and 15 (26.8%) at very high risk for mediastinitis. Three of the five variables of the Magendanz Score showed statistically significant differences: reoperation, COPD and obesity. Class IV unstable angina and postoperative polytransfusion were not associated with mediastinitis after coronary artery by-pass grafting. The area under the ROC curve was 0.80 (CI 95% 0.73 - 0.86), indicating the model's satisfactory ability to predict the occurrence of mediastinitis. Conclusion: The tool was useful in the preoperative assessment demonstrating the risk for mediastinitis in this population of intensive care patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Resumo Fundamento: A mediastinite é uma complicação cirúrgica grave de baixa incidência, porém com alto poder de letalidade. Escores utilizados no período pré-operatório para estratificar o risco de sua ocorrência podem contribuir para melhorar os resultados. Objetivo: Testar a aplicabilidade do MagedanzSCORE em prever risco de mediastinite em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) em um hospital de referência em cardiologia. Métodos: Estudo de coorte histórica conduzido com pacientes adultos submetidos à CRM. As variáveis analisadas foram as contempladas no MagedanzSCORE: reintervenção cirúrgica, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), obesidade, angina estável classe IV/angina instável, politransfusão sanguínea, mediastinite e óbito como variáveis de desfecho. Resultados: Dentre os 1.322 pacientes analisados, 56 (4,2%) desenvolveram mediastinite. Destes, 26 (46,4%) foram classificados com risco elevado e 15 (26,8%) com risco muito elevado. Três das cinco variáveis do escore apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas: reintervenção cirúrgica, DPOC e obesidade. Angina classe IV/instável e politransfusão (pós-operatória) não apresentaram associação com mediastinite após a CRM. A área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,80 (IC 95% 0,73 - 0,86), demonstrando capacidade satisfatória do modelo em prever a ocorrência de mediastinite. Conclusão: O instrumento mostrou-se útil para auxiliar na avaliação pré-operatória por apontar o risco de mediastinite nesta população de pacientes de cuidados intensivos. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Predictors of Mediastinitis Risk after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Applicability of Score in 1.322 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinitis is a severe surgical complication of low incidence, but high lethality. Scores used in the preoperative period to stratify the risk of postoperative mediastinitis may contribute to improve the results. OBJECTIVE: To test the applicability of the MagedanzSCORE in predicting the risk factors for mediastinitis in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting at a cardiology reference hospital. METHODS: Historical cohort study with adult patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The analyzed variables were contemplated in the MagedanzSCORE: reoperation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, class IV unstable angina, polytransfusion therapy, mediastinitis and death as outcome variables. RESULTS: Of the 1.322 patients examined, 56 (4.2%) developed mediastinitis. Of these, 26 (46.4%) were classified as high risk for mediastinitis and 15 (26.8%) at very high risk for mediastinitis. Three of the five variables of the Magendanz Score showed statistically significant differences: reoperation, COPD and obesity. Class IV unstable angina and postoperative polytransfusion were not associated with mediastinitis after coronary artery by-pass grafting. The area under the ROC curve was 0.80 (CI 95% 0.73 - 0.86), indicating the model's satisfactory ability to predict the occurrence of mediastinitis. CONCLUSION: The tool was useful in the preoperative assessment demonstrating the risk for mediastinitis in this population of intensive care patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Clinical evolution of mediastinitis in patients undergoing adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive treatment in mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study, performed between October 2010 and February 2012. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was indicated in difficult clinical management cases despite antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: We identified 18 patients with mediastinitis during the study period. Thirty three microorganisms were isolated, and polymicrobial infection was present in 11 cases. Enterobacteriaceae were the most prevalent pathogens and six were multi-resistant agents. There was only 1 hospital death, 7 months after the oxygen therapy caused by sepsis, unrelated to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This treatment was well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: The initial data showed favorable clinical outcomes.