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Dental Filling Sparks Life-Threatening Heart Crisis
28 Jan
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.
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.
His family is raising funds via a GoFundMe campaign to support his mortgage and finances, as he is self-employed and unlikely to return to work this year. They highlight a perceived lack of guidance on preventative antibiotics for heart patients during dental procedures.
