Eradication of Staphylococcus aureus Post-Sternotomy Mediastinitis Following the Implementation of Universal Preoperative Nasal Decontamination With Mupirocin: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although presurgical nasal decontamination with mupirocin (NDM) has been advocated as a measure for preventing postsurgical mediastinitis (PSM) due to Staphylococcus aureus, this strategy is not universally recommended due to lack of robust supporting evidence. We aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative NDM in the annual incidence of S. aureus PSM at our institution. METHODS: An interrupted time-series analysis, with an autoregressive error model, was applied to our single-center cohort by comparing preintervention (1990-2003) and postintervention (2005-2018) periods. Logistic regression was performed to analyze risk factors for S. aureus PSM. RESULTS: 12 236 sternotomy procedures were analyzed (6370 [52.1%] and 5866 [47.9%] in the pre- and postintervention periods, respectively). The mean annual percentage adherence to NDM estimated over the postintervention period was 90.2%. Only 4 of 127 total cases of S. aureus PSM occurred during the 14-year postintervention period (0.68/1000 sternotomies vs 19.31/1000 in the preintervention period; P < .0001). Interrupted time-series analysis demonstrated a statistically significant annual reduction in S. aureus PSM of -9.85 cases per 1000 sternotomies (-13.17 to -6.5; P < .0001) in 2005, with a decreasing trend maintained over the following 5 years and an estimated relative reduction of 84.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.25-74.09%). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the single independent risk factor for S. aureus PSM (odds ratio, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.72-7.93) and was equally distributed in patients undergoing sternotomy during pre- or postintervention periods. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests the implementation of preoperative NDM significantly reduces the incidence of S. aureus PSM.

Oclusión iatrogénica de la arteria coronaria derecha durante sustitución valvular tricuspídea / Iatrogenic occlusion of the right coronary artery during tricuspid valve replacement

Resumen Se describe el caso de una mujer de 68 años que presentaba insuficiencia tricuspídea severa con ventrículo derecho dilatado, función sistólica levemente deprimida y ventrículo izquierdo no dilatado con fracción de eyección del 47%. Se intervino mediante cirugía realizándose una sustitución valvular tricúspide por prótesis mecánica ATS n( 33 e implante de electrodo de marcapasos epicárdico definitivo. En el postoperatorio inmediato presentó ascenso persistente del segmento ST en la cara inferior. Se implantó balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico y en el ecocardiograma urgente se observó disfunción ventricular global con aquinesia de la cara inferior. Se realizó coronariografía urgente observándose una imagen de angulación y deformidad a nivel distal de la arteria coronaria derecha no presente en la coronariografía prequirúrgica que sugería tracción externa del vaso, probablemente en relación con la sutura quirúrgica. Se intervino en forma percutánea implantándose stent farmacoactivo con lo cual se recuperó el flujo distal y se normalizó el segmento ST. La proximidad del anillo tricúspide a estructuras anatómicas como la arteria coronaria derecha hace posible su lesión durante la cirugía. El daño iatrogénico de la arteria coronaria derecha requiere diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz. Por ello esta complicación se debe incluir en el diagnóstico diferencial de disfunción ventricular derecha tras cirugía cardiaca.

Abstract The case is presented on a 68 year-old woman with severe tricuspid insufficiency. She also had a dilated right ventricle, a slightly depressed systolic function, and an undilated left ventricle with an ejection fraction of 47%. We treated her surgically, the tricuspid valve replacement was carried out with an ATS Nº 33 mechanical prosthesis and implanted a permanent epicardial pacemaker lead. In the immediate post operative period, she presented a persistent ST segment elevation on the inferior wall. An intra-aortic balloon pump was implanted; the urgent echocardiogram showed a global ventricular dysfunction with akinesia of the inferior wall. An urgent coronary angiography was performed, with an image of angulation and deformity being observed at distal level of the right coronary artery that was not present in the pre-surgical coronary angiography, which suggested an external traction of the vessela probably associated with a surgical suture. Percutaneous intervention was carried out, with a drug-eluting stent being implanted. It was percutaneously treated by implanting a drug-eluting stent restoring distal blood flow and normalizing the ST segment. The proximity of the tricuspid ring to anatomical structures like the right coronary artery means that it could be damaged during surgery. The iatrogenic damage to the right coronary artery requires an early diagnosis and treatment. For this reason, this complication must be included in the differential diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction after cardiac surgery.