Staphylococcus aureus infection complicating percutaneous coronary interventions

Background This study sought to determine the incidence, risk factors, and characteristics of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus infections complicating percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods Between January 1999 and December 2002, 7640 PCIʹs were evaluated from 1 to 16 days post-PCI for the occurrence of a documented S. aureus infection. A case–control study was used to identify risk factors for the development of S. aureus infection in patients undergoing PCI. Results In total 21 S. aureus infections (0.27%) were documented at 1 to 16 days after the index PCI. The overall incidence of PCI-related infection was 0.14% (11 cases), 0.13% (10 cases) were intravascular line related. All 21 cases with S. aureus infections were matched with 63 controls randomly selected among patients who underwent a PCI but did not have S. aureus infections. Among the patients with S. aureus infections, the duration of hospital stay was significantly increased (24 vs 5 days). The overall mortality rate in the 21 patients with S. aureus infections was 4/21 [19%] (controls 2/42 [3%]). Congestive heart failure, alcohol abuse, emergency PCI, more than 1 PCI in three months and the presence of a sheath in the femoral artery and/or vein for the duration of more than 1 day after the procedure were independent risk factors for S. aureus infection after PCI. Conclusions S. aureus infection is a rare but potentially serious complication of PCI. Additional precautions should be considered in patients with these risk factors.