Unusual cardiac outcomes of bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus infection: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Patients on hemodialysis, particularly those with temporary non-tunneled dialysis access, constitute a high-risk population for bloodstream infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. This population also has a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases with poor prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 62-year-old Caucasian man with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, who presented with an eventually lethal case of staphylococcal septicemia with an unusual involvement of the heart, including bacterial coronary arteritis, myocardial abscesses and papillary muscle infarction and rupture, along with complications involving other organs. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to try to minimize invasive procedures in patients who are hemodialysis dependent. The strict control of heart function is indicated considering the large spectrum of unusual cardiac complications.