Bacterial pericarditis after heart transplantation: successful management of two cases with catheter drainage and antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the diagnosis and management of bacterial pericarditis after heart transplantation.


METHODS
Two patients with Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis after heart transplantation were successfully treated conservatively with closed catheter drainage and antibiotics.


RESULTS
The patients were alive three and six years, respectively, following surgery. At follow-up, right heart catheterization demonstrated normal hemodynamics in one patient and a pattern of constrictive pericarditis in the other patient which was man-aged with furosemide.


CONCLUSIONS
Conservative management of bacterial pericarditis by closed catheter drainage and antibiotics can be considered in selected patients after heart transplantation.
Davies
R A
RA
Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ontario. radavies@heartinst.on.ca
Newton
G
G
Masters
R G
RG
Saginur
R
R
Struthers
C
C
Walley
V M
VM
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003023:Cloxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002437:Cefazolin; D003023:Cloxacillin; D012293:Rifampin