Rifampicin antibiotic impregnation of the St. Jude Medical mechanical valve sewing ring: A weapon against endocarditis

摘要: The Dacron sewing ring material of the St. Jude Medical mechanical heart valve (St. Medical, Inc., Paul, Minn.) was passively impregnated with rifampicin (60 mg/ml) both in its unsealed state and after sealing by methods preclotting blood, autoclaving 20% albumin. Antistaphylococcal activity assessed immediately impregnation at regular periods up to 5 days implantation into goat aorta. When had been sealed blood albumin significant retention antistaphylococcal found vivo. Best results were obtained use autoclaved (p < 0.05). We also compared these those from impregnating commercially available gelatin-sealed (Gelseal) collagen-sealed (Hemashield) rifampicin. Although equivalent impregnation, 4 vivo negligible Gelseal 0.05) could not be demonstrated Hemashield material. Rifampicin intact may have an application prevention prosthetic endocarditis a clinical protocol is suggested.