CDC Warns Heart Surgery Patients of Contaminated Surgical Equipment

The CDC recently warned recipients of open-heart surgery across the United States they may be at risk of contracting a life-threatening infection caused by contaminated medical devices.

The source of the infections was identified as a series of Stockert 3T machines - heater-cooler devices commonly used during open-heart surgery to control the patient's temperature. The devices were transmitting Mycobacterium Chimaera (M. Chimaera) bacteria into air as infected water in the heater-cooler devices vaporized and passed through the machine's exhaust fans.

This allowed the bacteria to pass through the air into surgical sites and onto medical devices, including implants. Of the 28 cases linked to the infected 3T machines, most of them were in York, Pennsylvania. As the machines are used in well over 200,000 surgeries in the United States each year, the risk of M.Chimaera bacteria develops slowly. Once the bacteria enters the heart during surgery, it slowly begins to grow and infect the valves of the heart. It can take 8 weeks for the infection to develop fully. Even then, it may be 1 to 3 years before an infected patient develops symptoms. Symptoms of M. Chimaera infection include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Pain
• Fever
• Redness, pus or heat at or near the surgical site
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Persistent cough
• Cough with blood
• Vomiting

Chimaera infections, though rare, can be fatal and require immediate treatment with antibiotics and occasionally further surgery.

Who Could Be at Risk of Mycobacterium Chimaera Infection?

Individuals who have had open heart surgery since early 2013 can be at risk, including those who have had their operation in affected hospitals. The party with the highest chance of infection are those who have had heart valve surgery since early 2013. It has been seen that one in every 5,000 who have endured this surgery can be infected with M.Chimaera. The chances of infections are lower for those who've had different kinds of open heart surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or a transplant of a heart or lung. Additionally, the chances decrease for those who have had heart valve surgery before early 2013.
If you are likely to be a victim to this infection, a letter from your hospital should have been sent out to you by March 31, 2017 explaining the situation. If you have had open heart surgery after early 2013 and never received a letter, you may want to get in contact with the hospital or even a trusted attorney.

What to Do If You're at Risk of the Infection


If you are not feeling anything abnormal, there is nothing you need to do right away. However, these symptoms can sometimes take years to become noticeable. There are also no tests available to check for infections. Make sure your doctor is aware that you've recently had open heart surgery and that it is noted in your medical records. The best course of action is to be educated on the symptoms of this bacteria and to seek medical attention if you start to notice symptoms. Additionally, a medical malpractice attorney can greatly assist with legal or compensation related tasks in the event you have been affected by this bacteria.

If you or someone you know contracted an M. Chimaera infection after open-heart surgery, the attorneys at Alvin F. de Levie & Associates can help. Please contact our firm-24 hours a day, 7 days a week - at 1-800-292-0458 (Toll-Free), 215-351-1100 (Philadelphia Area) or 814-238-5880 (State College Area) for a consultation. One of our team members will be in immediate contact with you.

We maintain offices throughout Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, State College, Bellefonte and Lock Haven, and we are willing to meet any clients throughout the Commonwealth.