CDC warns open heart surgery patients could get deadly infection

Rachel Reeves

By Keieigh Nealon, Buzz60

The CDC is warning people who've had heart surgery since 2012 that they could face a life-threatening bacterial infection. Specifically, those with valve implants or prosthetic product implants.

It's called "NTM", Nontuberculous mycobacteria. Health officials say it is linked to medical devices used during surgery.

About 600,000 people are at risk for infection, according to CNN. The FDA reports at least 12 patient deaths due to NTM. Experts say the overall risk is exceedingly low.

The risk of infection is between 1-in-100 and 1-in-1,000 in hospitals where at least one infection has been identified.

Symptoms include night sweats, muscle aches, joint pain and weight loss. According to experts, transmission can start anywhere and are not specific to heart surgery.

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