Endocarditis with left ventricular cutaneous fistula after aortic root replacement with a valved conduit

Abstract

Infection after aortic root replacement is uncommon, and it can be fatal. Herein, we present the case of a patient who underwent aortic root replacement with a valved conduit and coronary reimplantation. Prosthetic valve endocarditis and left ventricular cutaneous fistula ensued. Either condition alone could have been fatal. The fistula coursed from the valved conduit through the left ventricular outflow tract, behind the left main coronary artery, and to the skin at the upper sternum. Safe surgical entry into the chest was crucial, due to the free communication between the left ventricle, mediastinum, and skin. We discuss our surgical approach to this unusual combination of conditions, and the postoperative treatment of the patient.

Keywords: Anti-bacterial agents/therapeutic use; aortic valve/surgery; cardiac surgical procedures/adverse effects/epidemiology/etiology; cutaneous fistula/etiology/surgery; endocarditis, bacterial/diagnosis/therapy; heart valve prosthesis/microbiology; prosthesis-related infections/diagnosis/mortality/therapy; staphylococcal infections/drug therapy; surgical flaps; surgical wound infection/complications/drug therapy/surgery; treatment outcome.