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Bio-absorbable Antibiotic Beads for Vascular Graft Infection Management: Challenges and Future Prospects
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1  Department of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Islamabad (Lahore Campus), Pakistan
Academic Editor: Stefano Di Bella

Abstract:

Vascular stenosis and occlusion are the key causes of cardiovascular diseases, which are major contributors to global mortality. Surgical revascularization remains one of the most sought-after treatment options for long-term vessel restoration. However, surgical site infections pose serious concerns, especially when synthetic scaffold materials are in use. Bio-absorbable antibiotic beads represent a promising solution to combat vascular graft infections. These beads facilitate localized delivery of high antibiotic dosages, leading to minimized systemic toxicity with targeted therapeutic effects. This review aims to evaluate the strength of evidence concerning the efficacy of antibiotic beads for vascular intervention. A comprehensive literature search across PubMed, MedlinePlus, and Embase identified relevant studies while excluding conventional surgical interventions. Modern alternatives, i.e., silver-coated grafts and stem cell therapy, were also excluded. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) beads were the most commonly used formulation, with growing interest in biodegradable formulations such as calcium sulfate beads. The search strategy included keywords such as “Vascular Surgery,” “Vascular Grafts,” “Vascular Graft Infections,” and “Antibiotic Beads.” Evidence indicates that bio-absorbable antibiotic beads could be highly beneficial in vascular surgery for infection prevention and to reduce systemic complications. Future studies should focus on the effectiveness of beads based on different microbial factors to attain the best possible outcomes.

Keywords: Vascular Surgery; Vascular Graft Infections; Antibiotic Beads
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