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healthcare-associated infections (HAI) Program

M. chimaera Infections Associated with 3T Heater-Cooler Devices

Invasive infections due to slow-growing nontuberculous mycobacteria, M. chimaera, have been identified in patients in Europe and the United States after open chest surgery using the LivaNova Sorin Stockert 3T (Sorin 3T) heater-cooler device. Heater-cooler devices are used in operating rooms with life-saving cardiopulmonary bypass machines to control core body temperature during open chest cardiac surgery. The devices have closed water circuits that do not come into contact with patients.  Stockert Sorin 3T heater-cooler devices may have been contaminated with M. chimaera during the manufacturing process.  Investigation has confirmed that contaminated Sorin 3T heater-cooler devices can aerosolize and expose patients to M. chimaera during open chest surgical procedures.  This webpage provides California Department of Public Health (CDPH) information for clinicians and local public health officials, and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations.

Information updated November 28, 2016

CDC produced a video to provide important information for heart surgery patients. Patients seeking information should contact their medical providers or hospitals. 

Information for Hospitals

Information for California clinicians and local public health officers

Federal guidelines and recommendations

Please contact us with questions at HAIProgram@cdph.ca.gov

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