Anders Tegnell1, Claes Arén, Lena Ohman. 1. Department of Health and Environment, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden. Anders.Tegnell@inf.liu.se
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at describing the early development of wound infections after cardiac surgery to identify markers for upcoming infections. DESIGN: We followed a cohort of 200 patients for 3 months after cardiac surgery to establish the incidence of all types of postoperative infections. Wound healing and C-reactive protein (CRP) were followed for the first 2 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients out of 200 could be followed up. Using a broad definition of wound infection a total of 30% of the patients had some kind of wound infection. The diagnosis of most infections occurred after the patients had left the cardiac surgery unit (median 12 d after surgery). Our wound scoring method shows significant differences at an early stage between infected and non-infected wounds. At the time of diagnoses CRP was elevated in patients with deep sternal infection. CONCLUSION: A long follow-up period is needed to establish the true incidence of infection. Wound scoring can give an early indication of wound infections and CRP can help in the diagnoses of deep infections.
OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at describing the early development of wound infections after cardiac surgery to identify markers for upcoming infections. DESIGN: We followed a cohort of 200 patients for 3 months after cardiac surgery to establish the incidence of all types of postoperative infections. Wound healing and C-reactive protein (CRP) were followed for the first 2 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients out of 200 could be followed up. Using a broad definition of wound infection a total of 30% of the patients had some kind of wound infection. The diagnosis of most infections occurred after the patients had left the cardiac surgery unit (median 12 d after surgery). Our wound scoring method shows significant differences at an early stage between infected and non-infected wounds. At the time of diagnoses CRP was elevated in patients with deep sternal infection. CONCLUSION: A long follow-up period is needed to establish the true incidence of infection. Wound scoring can give an early indication of wound infections and CRP can help in the diagnoses of deep infections.
Authors: Faisal A Alasmari; Imad M Tleyjeh; Muhammad Riaz; Kevin L Greason; Elie F Berbari; Abinash Virk; Larry M Baddour Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Date: 2012-11 Impact factor: 7.616