BY DR. AUDRA A. DUNCAN
An artery or vein or a graft that has been used to replace an artery or vein can get infected by bacteria, viruses or fungus. The infection flows through your bloodstream, and may cause you to become very sick with fevers, chills and weight loss. The infection could occur within months of the replacement procedure or many years later.
Your own arteries and veins very rarely get infected. However, a graft or stent-graft is a foreign body and is susceptible to infection; it happens in approximately 1-2 cases out of every 100.
Must be treated, can be life-threatening
Antibiotics are used but often are not sufficient to clear the infection. In most cases, the artery, vein or graft needs to be removed. If infected grafts are not removed, many of them will slowly decay and can break open, bleed excessively and potentially cause loss of a limb, or even death.
Go immediately to the nearest emergency room if…
If you have a fever, chills, or notice cloudy drainage from an incision after a graft is placed, get immediate help. Be alert for other symptoms listed below.