Abstract

Infectious complications of percutaneous cardiac procedures

Author(s): JJ Franco, SS Abisse, P Ruisi & JD Abbott

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and interventional structural heart disease procedures have steadily increased worldwide over the last two decades. Patient infection is a potential complication of percutaneous cardiac procedures, but the incidence is very low due to the use of sterile techniques and percutaneous arterial puncture. Infection can be categorized as occurring at the access site, which includes vascular closure devices, or locally within the implanted device or a cardiac structure. Although rare, endovascular and cardiac infection can be challenging to diagnose and may have catastrophic consequences. In most cases, treatment requires prolonged parenteral antibiotics and surgical intervention. A comprehensive review of all reports of infection related to percutaneous cardiac procedures since 1994 is covered as are the current infection control guidelines.