title: Saphenous vein graft infection: a fatal complication of postoperative mediastinitis.
abstract: Infection and erosion of the saphenous vein graft with mediastinal hemorrhage is a rare but highly lethal complication of cardiac surgery. This is associated with a mortality rate of 50%. We present a patient who died during the postoperative period due to this complication.
authors.affiliation: Section of Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC 20010-2975, USA.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sample
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000150:complications*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D012501:Saphenous Vein