Deep Sternal Wire Infection Resulting in Severe Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis

Isolated Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis

“…Right-sided endocarditis comprises less than 5% of all endocarditis [3]; blood-borne infections travelling from the right atrium to the pulmonary artery have to pass through the tricuspid valve, resulting in tricuspid colonization. Therefore, involvement of only the pulmonary valve without tricuspid valve endocarditis is a rare occurrence, accounting only for 1.5-2% of all reported cases of endocarditis.…”

Case Report of a Rare Complication of Open-Heart Surgery Masquerading as a Gunshot Wound

“…[40][41][42] Deep sternal wound infections causing prosthetic valve endocarditis are exceptionally rare with scant case reports of ensuing aorto/ cardiocutaneous fistulas secondary to the same. 31,41 In our case, the deceased developed poststernotomy mediastinitis secondary to open-heart surgery for surgical valve replacement, which was documented as positive cultures from the sternum. The site of infection was found to be the steel wires used for closure of the sternotomy, in keeping with the literature review.…”

“…28,29 However, it has serious consequences with mortality rates reported as 20% to 80%, although scarce articles have described deep sternal wire infections causing the same. 30,31 …”

Pulmonary Valve Replacement Through a Left Minithoracotomy: An Alternate Approach

“…Although the condition is difficult to recognize and can be tolerated for extended periods, it may eventually progress to right ventricular dilation and hemodynamic dysfunction [5]. Typical medical management involves a regimen of antibiotics, during which the patient risks bacterial resistance [4].…”