INFECTION WITH FATAL OUTCOME AFTER ENDOVASCULAR METALLIC STENT PLACEMENT

The authors describe a case in which infection developed in a patient after placement of a metallic endoprosthesis in the iliac artery. The patient died of respiratory failure secondary to sepsis. Imaging studi es did not reveal an abscess, aneurysm, or stent occlusion. Stent cult ures and hemocultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. As with any foreign body, infectious complications may occur after insertion of metallic s tents and should be recognized as soon as possible to initiate appropr iate therapy.