This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
NI patients warned over heart surgery infection risk
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) has issued advice to around 2,000 patients regarding their risk of infection caused by Mycobacterium chimaera, following open heart surgery.
The trust contacted patients who have had heart valve replacement or valve repair surgery, including procedures undertaken as part of congenital heart disease surgery, since January 2013, to inform them that they may have a low risk of infection.
According to a statement from BHSCT, the advice follows new information indicating that some of the heater-cooler devices used to help keep the blood and organs at a specific temperature during surgery, might be contaminated by M chimaera that could put patients at risk of infection.
The trust assured it is working closely with the Public Health Agency to monitor the situation and that the risk to patients from surgery where heater/cooler units is used is low.
Work is ongoing to further evaluate and reduce the risk associated with these devices, as well as increase clinical and patient awareness. Patients who have had open heart surgery since 2013 and are concerned about symptoms have been told to contact their GP in the first instance.
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