Prolonged patency of a Beck 2 anastomosis complicated by recurrent bacteremia

The Beck 2 aorta-coronary sinus anastomosis was performed on a number of patients with angina pectoris in the early 1950's. The case described herein represents the longest persistently patent Beck 2 anastomosis, and the only known instance of recurrent bacteremia occurring as a complication of this operation. This case is of further interest in that it points out many of the systemic complications of staphylococcal bacteremia and, to our knowledge, is the only reported instance of Staphylococcus aureus infection of an acquired arteriovenous fistula.