Pericardial Window for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pericarditis

Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018 Source:The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Author(s): Hiroaki Oizumi, Hideomi Ichinokawa, Hironobu Hoshino, Jun Shitara, Kenji Suzuki A 58-year-old man presented with tamponade, and he underwent an emergency pericardiocentesis. We made the diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pericarditis based on culture results, and treated the patient with pericardial drainage and antibiotics as the first-line therapy. After temporary relief, reaccumulation of effusion developed. We successfully created a pericardial window using thoracotomy, and the postoperative course was uneventful. MRSA pericarditis is an extremely rare and life-threatening illness. No consensus exists concerning the ideal surgical intervention. Creating a pericardial window using thoracotomy can be an effective definitive therapy for MRSA pericarditis, especially for patients with significant pericardial adhesions.
Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research