Bacteriologic Profile of Pericardial Infections After Cardiac Surgery: Study in an Iranian Cardiovascular Tertiary Care Center

BACKGROUND Bacterial pericarditis is an important cause of post-surgery mortality and morbidity. This can be a preventable complication and the involved pathogens vary according to the time and location. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the bacteriologic profile in patients with pericardial infections after cardiac surgery in the largest tertiary care center for cardiovascular diseases in Iran. The results can be applied for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of similar patients in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective study was performed in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center (RCMRC), the largest tertiary care center for cardiovascular disease in Iran from March 2011 to March 2012. Patients who had undergone cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and showed suggestive sign and symptoms of pericardial infections were registered and samples from their pericardial fluids were obtained to perform standard bacteriologic and antibiogram tests. RESULTS A total of 158 patients were registered. Bacteriologic findings were positive in 30 patients (19%). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequent isolated organism, which was found in 22 patients (73.3%) with eight of them being methicillin-resistant strains. CONCLUSIONS The bacteriologic profile in our patient is specific to our own community. Knowledge about this profile can help us to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the affected patients.