Bacteremia following complex percutaneous coronary intervention.
OBJECTIVE
Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often requires introduction of numerous devices into and out of the arterial circulation and this may result in an increased risk of bacteraemia or even septicaemia. This study was undertaken to detect the frequency of bacteraemia that may be associated with such procedures.


METHODS
147 patients undergoing complex PCI had blood culture tests immediately after and 12 hours after the procedure.


RESULTS
Of 147 patients, 26 (17.7%) had detectable bacteraemia immediately after PCI. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus was isolated most commonly. An additional 12% of patients yielded positive blood cultures in the next 12 hours with femoral sheaths still in-situ. There were no associated clinical sequelae.


CONCLUSIONS
Uncomplicated bacteraemia is not uncommon as a result of complex PCI procedures. Although there are usually no clinical sequelae, these findings are important for those patients who are considered to be at moderate or high risk of infective endocarditis who require an invasive procedure such as PCI. This paper emphasizes the need for maximum sterility during PCI procedures if infective complications and stent infection are to be avoided.
Ramsdale
David R
DR
The Cardiothoracic Centre, Thomas Drive, Liverpool, England, UK, L14 3PE. david.ramsdale@ctc.nhs.uk
Aziz
Shahid
S
Newall
Nick
N
Palmer
Nick
N
Jackson
Mark
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology