5,000 patients put at risk of killer bug that eats blood cells
THOUSANDS of Scots who have had heart operations may have been exposed to a potentially deadly infection.
The NHS has written to around 5,000 patients warning they may have caught a life-threatening bug from medical equipment.
So far, 26 patients in the rest of the UK – including a seven-year-old – are known to have caught the infection, and 15 people have died.
NHS Scotland has reached out to patients who have had valve replacement or valve repair surgery since 2013. The alert also covers children who underwent or are receiving congenital surgery.
The letters warn patients of the ‘minimal risk’ of contracting an infection caused by the bug mycobacterium chimaera.
Health Protection Scotland says the risk of infection is ‘very low’ but the bacterium, which ‘eats’ blood cells, can lie dormant for years.
It is thought heater cooler units used to heat and cool blood during some types of heart surgery might be contaminated by the bug.
Two bereaved families are already taking legal action in England, claiming the NHS should not have used defective equipment.
No cases have been identified in Scotland so far.
The letters advise patients to contact their doctor if they suffer symptoms, even if the surgery was many years ago. Signs include unexplained fevers and increasing shortness of breath.
The move follows a UK-wide inquiry into the link between infections and heart bypass machines.
In total, 47,000 patients across the UK who had a heart procedure are being warned about the bug.
Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist for the respiratory team at Health Protection Scotland, said: ‘There is no need for any patient to be unduly alarmed as the threat of infection is very low.
‘We have a duty of care to patients to ensure they are made aware.’
Patients who have contracted the bug have suffered painful infections of the inner lining of the heart and abscesses on the aorta.
Mycobacterium chimaera infection is treatable with antibiotics.
Studies have shown the bug – normally found in soil and water – can develop in heating and cooling units and be dispersed in the air in tiny water droplets, landing on tissue exposed during surgery.
Infections from the equipment have emerged around the world.
A new disinfection process has been introduced to the machines thought to pose the risk. An NHS patient information film, featuring consultant cardiac surgeon Andrew Chukwuemeka, states: ‘Heater cooler units are a very important piece of equipment. Unfortunately, these units have been linked to a potential risk of serious infection.’
It adds that patients who have had heart surgery but feel well need do nothing, but when they next visit their GP should ensure their doctor is aware they had an operation.
Experts say the infection risk is far lower than the risk of delaying life-saving surgery.
An NHS Scotland helpline is available on 0800 028 2836.