Purulent pericarditis complicating coronary artery bypass.

We have described the first survivor with Proteus purulent pericarditis after coronary artery bypass. Purulent pericarditis, which must be differentiated from postpericardiotomy syndrome, should be suspected in a patient with fever and pericardial effusion after bypass surgery. Pericardiocentesis established the diagnosis of purulent pericarditis. Today, with prophylactic antibiotics being used routinely, purulent pericarditis in the postoperative period may be caused by an aerobic gram-negative bacillus. Treatment consists of surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotics.