60% of Open Heart Surgeries Could Lead to Post-Surgical Infection

Before you or a loved one go in for an open heart surgical procedure, there are a few questions to ask your surgeon prior to the procedure:

1. How many times have you performed this procedure?
2. What equipment will be used in this procedure?
3. When was any equipment last maintained?
4. Have there been any adverse events with this technique and/or equipment used?

These questions are important because of a recent warning issued by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The warning came after the Stockort 3T heating-cooling machine, commonly used in heart by-pass surgeries, heart valve surgeries, heart muscle surgeries, heart transplants and pacemaker surgeries, was discovered to have been contaminated with a bacteria.

When thorough cleanings of the equipment could not remove the bacteria, which can cause a sticky film to envelope the heart, the CDC concluded that the contamination occurred during the manufacturing process.

If you or your loved one went in for open heart surgery and experienced infection-like symptoms post-surgery, call our office. Our team of medical and legal professionals will begin an immediate investigation into your case.