title: Implantation of the FloWatch device and sepsis: remove or wait?
abstract: Although many reports describe the biological behavior of most prosthetic biomaterials in the presence of infection, little is known about the resistance of the FloWatch device to internal or external contamination. We report here on our experience with the FloWatch device in three pediatric patients who contracted persistent sepsis. Good control of infection and complete remission of sepsis were ultimately achieved in all three patients by intensive treatment with antibiotics without removal of the device.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. ikouerinis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Kouerinis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papassotiriou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kalavrouziotis
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013686:Telemetry / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents