What happened to James Molloy after his dental filling was replaced?

After a routine dental filling replacement in November 2025, James Molloy became seriously ill in January 2026, allegedly due to a bacterial infection that attacked his heart valve, leading to a life-saving surgery.

What medical procedures did James Molloy undergo?

James Molloy underwent life-saving heart surgery for a Type A aortic dissection in June 2025 and a subsequent 18-hour operation in January 2026, which involved receiving three new heart valves, heart patches, a grafted aortic stem, and a pacemaker.

Why is James Molloy's family advocating for antibiotics after dental work?

His family alleges that a common skin bacteria entered his bloodstream from a dental filling replacement, leading to a severe infection. They suggest that certain heart patients might benefit from preventative antibiotics during dental treatment.

Home / Health / Dental Filling Sparks Life-Threatening Heart Crisis

Dental Filling Sparks Life-Threatening Heart Crisis

28 Jan

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Summary

A routine dental filling replacement led to a life-threatening aortic dissection.
The patient underwent an 18-hour surgery after a suspected bacterial infection.
His family advocates for antibiotic use in heart patients undergoing dental work.

Dental Filling Sparks Life-Threatening Heart Crisis

In June 2025, James Molloy, a 52-year-old father, was diagnosed with a Type A aortic dissection, a condition with an 80% mortality risk. He underwent open-heart surgery and months of recovery to manage his blood pressure.

In November 2025, Mr. Molloy had a routine dental filling replaced. His family alleges that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria entered his bloodstream from this procedure, attacking his heart valve. This led to a critical illness in January 2026.

He was rushed to a specialist hospital for an 18-hour surgery. Doctors performed extensive repairs, including three new heart valves, aortic patches, and a pacemaker implantation. Mr. Molloy is currently in an induced coma, facing ongoing recovery challenges, including lung complications and kidney issues requiring dialysis.