This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Robinson, P. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Robinson, P. J. Related Collections Education Related Article

Factors associated with deep sternal wound infection and haemorrhage following cardiac surgery in Victoria

^a NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Therapeutics, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
^b Baker Heart Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 3 9903 0752; fax: +61 3 9903 0556.

E-mail address: chris.reid{at}med.monash.edu.au (C.M. Reid).

Serious non-fatal complications of cardiac surgery include deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) and haemorrhage. Understanding the factors associated with these complications (both pre-operatively and intra-operatively) may aid in the prevention and avoidance of such complications. The aim of the current report is to identify factors associated with DSWI and haemorrhage for all patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures in Victorian public hospitals from July 2001 to June 2005. Multiple logistic regression analysis incorporating preoperative and intraoperative variables was used to identify risk factors for DSWI and haemorrhage. There were 153 cases of DSWI (1.3%) and 413 cases of haemorrhage (3.5%) in 11,848 patients. The risk factors differ between DSWI and haemorrhage, with pre-operative factors being more commonly associated with DSWI and intra-operative factors associated with haemorrhage. Strategies directed towards minimising modifiable pre-operative risk factors (diabetes, preoperative dialysis, respiratory disease, being overweight and angina CCS Class 3 or 4) may reduce the incidence of DSWI. Improvements in operative factors (perfusion time, ventricular assist device, intraaortic balloon pump and aortic dissection) and surgical technique, may impact on reducing the incidence of haemorrhage.

Key Words: Cardiac surgery; Deep sternal wound infection; Haemorrhage; Risk factors

Related Article

ICVTS on-line discussion A Definitions of sternal wound complications

Mohamad Fouad Ismail
Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 2007 6: 171. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Dunkley, L. Phillips, P. McCall, J. Brereton, R. Lindeman, G. Jankelowitz, and P. Cameron Recombinant Activated Factor VII in Cardiac Surgery: Experience From the Australian and New Zealand Haemostasis Registry Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2008; 85(3): 836 - 844. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. F. Ismail ICVTS on-line discussion A Definitions of sternal wound complications Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, April 1, 2007; 6(2): 171 - 171. [Full Text] [PDF]