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What Causes Blood Infection Post Angioplasty?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014
Question: My brother in law had a heart attack two days back and done angioplasty. After that he is put on ventilator for one day. He is out of ventilator by oxygen is still continued. Doctors say he has developed blood infection causing unstable BP. Please explain us the exact reasons
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Answered by Dr. Harshal Vora (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Weak heart muscle pumping with added infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM.
I have read your question understand your concerns.

Heart attack means the particular area of heart got permanently damaged due to occluded coronary artery (vessels supplying heart muscle - mainly 3 vessels).
Usually after heart attack muscle pumping weakens (low ejection fraction) which causes low blood pressure, we call it cardiogenic shock if kidney, liver functions are also affected with low blood pressure.

Kindly mentioned to me his echo report and whether he has fluctuating blood pressure or persistently low blood pressure.

There are mainly 2 reasons for blood pressure fluctuations in your patient
Septicemia(infection)
Weak pumping of heart muscle.

Usually it's important to know the source of infection whether it's urinary infection, stomach infection or lung infection.
Accordingly culture report will reveal culprit organism and proper treatment can be given then. Ask your doctor about this. It's just 3 days in hospital so I don't think the infection is hospital acquired. It is possible that infection might be there before attack and it appeared afterwards.
However it's not important to know why infection occurs, it's more important how to monitor further.


He has infection or not can be determined by CBC (complete blood count report), blood precalcitonin levels, CRP levels. Also he has fever associated with that . If he has any of the above reports significant than It suggests infection and your doctor has already started antibiotics for that so don't worry . In infection blood pressure fluctuations are common but persistent low blood pressure is dangerous. Kindly note whether he is on any medication for raising blood pressure.

You watchful for following things to determine progress of it.

1.His daily urine output.
2.If he is conscious then it's a good sign. Watch for any behaviour changes.
3.Regular blood pressure monitoring and fluctuations.
4.Body temperature.

Usually infection respond well to antibiotics and patients condition will improve within days. But heart muscle pumping improvement may take months and might not recover completely.

Any other questions are always welcome. Any further clarification if you want then be XXXXXXX to ask.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Harshal Vora

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 321 Questions

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What Causes Blood Infection Post Angioplasty?

Brief Answer: Weak heart muscle pumping with added infection. Detailed Answer: Hello welcome to HCM. I have read your question understand your concerns. Heart attack means the particular area of heart got permanently damaged due to occluded coronary artery (vessels supplying heart muscle - mainly 3 vessels). Usually after heart attack muscle pumping weakens (low ejection fraction) which causes low blood pressure, we call it cardiogenic shock if kidney, liver functions are also affected with low blood pressure. Kindly mentioned to me his echo report and whether he has fluctuating blood pressure or persistently low blood pressure. There are mainly 2 reasons for blood pressure fluctuations in your patient Septicemia(infection) Weak pumping of heart muscle. Usually it's important to know the source of infection whether it's urinary infection, stomach infection or lung infection. Accordingly culture report will reveal culprit organism and proper treatment can be given then. Ask your doctor about this. It's just 3 days in hospital so I don't think the infection is hospital acquired. It is possible that infection might be there before attack and it appeared afterwards. However it's not important to know why infection occurs, it's more important how to monitor further. He has infection or not can be determined by CBC (complete blood count report), blood precalcitonin levels, CRP levels. Also he has fever associated with that . If he has any of the above reports significant than It suggests infection and your doctor has already started antibiotics for that so don't worry . In infection blood pressure fluctuations are common but persistent low blood pressure is dangerous. Kindly note whether he is on any medication for raising blood pressure. You watchful for following things to determine progress of it. 1.His daily urine output. 2.If he is conscious then it's a good sign. Watch for any behaviour changes. 3.Regular blood pressure monitoring and fluctuations. 4.Body temperature. Usually infection respond well to antibiotics and patients condition will improve within days. But heart muscle pumping improvement may take months and might not recover completely. Any other questions are always welcome. Any further clarification if you want then be XXXXXXX to ask. Thank you. Have a nice day.