In vivo testing of an infection-resistant annuloplasty ring.

Background: An infection-resistant surface incorporated into a prosthetic cardiac valve has great potential clinical applications.

Study Design: A sewing ring construct was created using ciprofloxacin-treated polyester. Then ciprofloxacin-treated and untreated constructs were implanted subcutaneously on the dorsum of rats and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus.