The impact of MRSA on vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of MRSA infection in patients treated in a major vascular unit and examine its consequences.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective case-note review was performed.

RESULTS: During the period 1993 to 2000, a total of 172 patients (4.4% of total) were positive for MRSA. Of these 97 were colonised and 75 were infected by MRSA. The proportion of wound or graft infections caused by MRSA has increased (4% in 1994 to 63% in 2000). Three patients developed native artery infection (one following aortic stent insertion and 2 following embolectomy). All patients with aortic graft infection died. All patients with infected prosthetic infrainguinal bypass ended up with an amputation.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MRSA infection is increasing. Infection of aortic grafts appears to be uniformly fatal and lower limb graft infection is associated with high limb loss.