Bacterial pericarditis after heart transplantation: successful management of two cases with catheter drainage and antibiotics

Abstract

Objective: To describe the diagnosis and management of bacterial pericarditis after heart transplantation.

Patients and methods: Two patients with Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis after heart transplantation were successfully treated conservatively with closed catheter drainage and antibiotics.

Results: The patients were alive three and six years, respectively, following surgery. At follow-up, right heart catheterization demonstrated normal hemodynamics in one patient and a pattern of constrictive pericarditis in the other patient which was man-aged with furosemide.

Conclusions: Conservative management of bacterial pericarditis by closed catheter drainage and antibiotics can be considered in selected patients after heart transplantation.