Does duration of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis matter in cardiac surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 2011;254:48-54. [PMID: 21412147 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0b013e318214b7e4]

Wound Microbiota and Its Impact on Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex process influenced by age, systemic conditions, and local factors. The wound microbiota's crucial role in this process is gaining recognition. This concise review outlines wound microbiota impacts on healing, emphasizing distinct phases like hemostasis, inflammation, and cell proliferation. Inflammatory responses, orchestrated by growth factors and cytokines, recruit neutrophils and monocytes to eliminate pathogens and debris. Notably, microbiota alterations relate to changes in wound healing dynamics. Commensal bacteria influence immune responses, keratinocyte growth, and blood vessel development. For instance, Staphylococcus epidermidis aids keratinocyte progression, while Staphylococcus aureus colonization impedes healing. Other bacteria like Group A Streptococcus spp. And Pseudomonas affect wound healing as well. Clinical applications of microbiota-based wound care are promising, with probiotics and specific bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii aiding tissue repair through molecule secretion. Understanding microbiota influence on wound healing offers therapeutic avenues. Tailored approaches, including probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics, can manipulate the microbiota to enhance immune modulation, tissue repair, and inflammation control. Despite progress, critical questions linger. Determining the ideal microbiota composition for optimal wound healing, elucidating precise influence mechanisms, devising effective manipulation strategies, and comprehending the intricate interplay between the microbiota, host, and other factors require further exploration.

Effect of an E-Prescription Intervention on the Adherence to Surgical Chemoprophylaxis Duration in Cardiac Surgery: A Single Centre Experience

In our hospital, adherence to the guidelines for peri-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis (PAP) is suboptimal, with overly long courses being common. This practice does not offer any incremental benefit, and it only adds to the burden of antimicrobial consumption, promotes the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and it is associated with adverse events. Our objective was to study the effect of an electronic reminder on the adherence to each element of PAP after cardiac surgery. We conducted a single center, before and after intervention, prospective cohort study from 1 June 2014 to 30 September 2017. The intervention consisted of a reminder of the hospital guidelines when ordering PAP through the hospital information system. The primary outcome was adherence to the suggested duration of PAP, while secondary outcomes included adherence to the other elements of PAP and incidence of surgical site infections (SSI). We have studied 1080 operations (400 pre-intervention and 680 post-intervention). Adherence to the appropriate duration of PAP increased significantly after the intervention [PRE 4.0% (16/399) vs. POST 15.4% (105/680), chi-square p < 0.001]; however, it remained inappropriately low. Factors associated with inappropriate duration of PAP were pre-operative hospitalization for <3 days, and duration of operation >4 h, while there were significant differences between the chief surgeons. Unexpectedly, the rate of SSIs increased significantly during the study (PRE 2.8% (11/400) vs. POST 5.9% (40/680), chi-square p < 0.019). The implemented intervention achieved a relative increase in adherence to the guideline-recommended PAP duration; however, adherence was still unacceptably low and further efforts to improve adherence are needed.

ESCMID/EUCIC clinical practice guidelines on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in patients colonized by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria before surgery

SCOPE

The aim of the guidelines is to provide recommendations on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) in adult inpatients who are carriers of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) before surgery.

METHODS

These evidence-based guidelines were developed after a systematic review of published studies on PAP targeting the following MDR-GNB: extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), aminoglycoside-resistant Enterobacterales, fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales, cotrimoxazole-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), extremely drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, and pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The critical outcomes were the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by any bacteria and/or by the colonizing MDR-GNB, and SSI-attributable mortality. Important outcomes included the occurrence of any type of postsurgical infectious complication, all-cause mortality, and adverse events of PAP, including development of resistance to targeted (culture-based) PAP after surgery and incidence of Clostridioides difficile infections. The last search of all databases was performed until April 30, 2022. The level of evidence and strength of each recommendation were defined according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel was reached for the final list of recommendations. Antimicrobial stewardship considerations were included in the recommendation development.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The guideline panel reviewed the evidence, per bacteria, of the risk of SSIs in patients colonized with MDR-GNB before surgery and critically appraised the existing studies. Significant knowledge gaps were identified, and most questions were addressed by observational studies. Moderate to high risk of bias was identified in the retrieved studies, and the majority of the recommendations were supported by low level of evidence. The panel conditionally recommends rectal screening and targeted PAP for fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy and for extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and solid organ transplantation. Screening for CRE and CRAB is suggested before transplant surgery after assessment of the local epidemiology. Careful consideration of the laboratory workload and involvement of antimicrobial stewardship teams before implementing the screening procedures or performing changes in PAP are warranted. High-quality prospective studies to assess the impact of PAP among CRE and CRAB carriers performing high-risk surgeries are advocated. Future well-designed clinical trials should assess the effectiveness of targeted PAP, including the monitoring of MDR-GNB colonization through postoperative cultures using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing clinical breakpoints.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in adult cardiac surgery in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

BACKGROUND

Deep sternal wound infections are a financially costly complication of cardiac surgery with serious implications for patient morbidity and mortality. Prophylactic antimicrobials have been shown to reduce the incidence of infection significantly. In 2018, the European Association for CardioThoracic Surgery (EACTS) provided clear guidance advising that third-generation cephalosporins are the first-line prophylactic antimicrobial of choice for cardiac surgery via median sternotomy as a result of their broad spectrum of activity and association with reduced postoperative mortality. Despite this guidance, it was believed that UK practice differed from this as a consequence of national concerns surrounding cephalosporins use and Clostridioides difficile infection.

METHODS

A survey was developed and distributed to all UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) cardiac surgery centres in January 2019 to quantify this variation.

RESULTS

Of the 38 centres, 34 responded. Variation existed between the antimicrobial agent used, as well as the dosage, frequency and duration of suggested regimens even among centres using the same antimicrobial agent. The most common antimicrobial prophylaxis prescribed was a combination of flucloxacillin and gentamicin (16, 47%). Followed by cefuroxime (6, 17.6%) and cefuroxime combined with a glycopeptide (4, 11.7%). In patients colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or those with penicillin allergy gentamicin combined with teicoplanin was most common (42% and 50%, respectively).

DISCUSSION

This variation in antimicrobial agents and regimens may well contribute to the varying incidence of surgical site infection seen across the UK and ROI.

Population pharmacokinetic evaluation of cefuroxime in perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis during and after cardiopulmonary bypass

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to explore pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of a contemporary dosing scheme of cefuroxime as perioperative prophylaxis in cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODS

Cefuroxime plasma concentrations were measured in 23 patients. A 1.5-g dose of cefuroxime was administered at start of surgery and CPB, followed by 3 additional doses every 6 hours postoperative. Drug levels were used to build a population pharmacokinetic model. Target attainment for Staphylococcus aureus (2-8 mg/L) and Escherichia coli (8-32 mg/L) were evaluated and dosing strategies for optimization were investigated.

RESULTS

A dosing scheme of 1.5 g cefuroxime preoperatively with a repetition at start of CPB achieves plasma unbound concentrations of 8 mg/L in almost all patients during surgery. The second administration is critical to provide this level of coverage. Simulations indicate that higher unbound concentrations up to 32 mg/L are reached by a continuous infusion rate of 1 g/h after a bolus of 1 g. In the postoperative phase, most patients do not reach unbound concentrations above 2 mg/L. To improve target attainment up to 8 mg/L, the continuous application of cefuroxime with infusion rates of 0.125-0.25 g/h is simulated and shown to be an alternative to bolus dosing.

CONCLUSION

Dosing recommendations for cefuroxime as perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery are sufficient to reach plasma unbound concentration to cover S. aureus during the operation. Target attainment is not achieved in the postoperative period. Continuous infusion of cefuroxime may optimize target attainment.

Clinical Trial Registration and Reporting: Drug Therapy and Prevention of Cardiac-Related Infections

Objective: Clinical trials are the source of evidence. ClinicalTrials.gov is valuable for analyzing current conditions. Until now, the state of drug interventions for heart infections is unknown. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess the characteristics of trials on cardiac-related infections and the status of drug interventions.

Methods: The website ClinicalTrials.gov was used to obtain all registered clinical trials on drug interventions for cardiac-related infections as of February 16, 2019. All registration studies were collected, regardless of their recruitment status, research results, and research type. Registration information, results, and weblink-publications of those trials were analyzed.

Results: A total of 45 eligible trials were evaluated and 86.7% of them began from or after 2008 while 91.1% of them adopted interventional study design. Of all trials, 35.6% were completed and 15.6% terminated. Besides, 62.2% of interventional clinical trials recruited more than 100 subjects. Meanwhile, 86.7% of the eligible trials included adult subjects only. Of intervention trials, 65.8% were in the third or fourth phase; 78.1% adopted randomized parallel assignment, containing two groups; 53.6% were masking, and 61.0% described treatment. Moreover, 41.5% of the trials were conducted in North America while 29.3% in Europe. Sponsors for 40.0% of the studies were from the industry. Furthermore, 48.9% of the trials mentioned information on monitoring committees, 24.4% have been published online, and 13.3% have uploaded their results. Drugs for treatments mainly contained antibiotics, among which glycopeptides, β-lactams, and lipopeptides were the most commonly studied ones in experimental group, with the former ones more common. Additionally, 16.2% of the trials evaluated new antimicrobials.

Conclusions: Most clinical trials on cardiac-related infections registered at ClinicalTrials.gov were interventional randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for treatment. Most drugs focused in trials were old antibiotics, and few trials reported valid results. It is necessary to strengthen supervision over improvements in results, and to combine antibacterial activity with drug delivery regimens to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Prevention of Infections in Cardiac Surgery study (PICS): study protocol for a pragmatic cluster-randomized factorial crossover pilot trial

Background

A wide range of prophylactic antibiotic regimens are used for patients undergoing open-heart cardiac surgery. This reflects clinical equipoise in choice and duration of antibiotic agents. Although individual-level randomized control trials (RCT) are considered the gold standard when evaluating the efficacy of an intervention, this approach is highly resource intensive and a cluster RCT can be more appropriate for testing clinical effectiveness in a real-world setting.

Methods/design

We are conducting a factorial cluster-randomized crossover pilot trial in cardiac surgery patients to evaluate the feasibility of this design for a definite trial to evaluate the optimal duration and choice of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Specifically, we will evaluate: (a) the non-inferiority of a single preoperative dose compared to prolonged prophylaxis and (b) the potential superiority of adding vancomycin to routine cefazolin in terms of preventing deep and organ/space sternal surgical site infections (s-SSIs). There are four strategies: (i) short-term cefazolin, (ii) long-term cefazolin, (iii) short-term cefazolin + vancomycin, and (iv) long-term cefazolin + vancomycin. These strategies are delivered in a different order in each health-care center participating in the trial. The centers are randomized to an order, and the current strategy becomes the standard operating procedure in that center during the study.

The three feasibility outcomes include: (1) the proportion of patients receiving preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative antibiotics according to the study protocol, (2) the proportion of completed follow-up assessments, and (3) a full and final assessment of the incidence of s-SSIs by the outcome adjudication committee.

Discussion

We believe that a cluster-randomized factorial crossover trial is an effective and feasible design for these research questions, allowing an evaluation of the clinical effectiveness in a real-world setting. A waiver of individual informed consent was considered appropriate by the research ethics boards in each participating site in Canada as long as an information letter with an opt-out option was provided. However, a waiver of consent was not approved at two sites in Germany and Switzerland, respectively.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02285140. Registered on 15 October 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-3080-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antimicrobial Stewardship in Surgery: Challenges and Opportunities

Antibiotic stewardship programs have been playing an increasingly important role in patient care and hospital policies. The role of these programs in surgical care presents several unique challenges and opportunities, most notably in the perioperative setting. Controversy remains regarding optimal antibiotic choice, dosage, and length of prophylaxis. Here, we review current best practices and suggest areas for further research specific to antibiotic stewardship in surgical care.

European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery expert consensus statement on the prevention and management of mediastinitis

Mediastinitis continues to be an important and life-threatening complication after median sternotomy despite advances in prevention and treatment strategies, with an incidence of 0.25-5%. It can also occur as extension of infection from adjacent structures such as the oesophagus, airways and lungs, or as descending necrotizing infection from the head and neck. In addition, there is a chronic form of 'chronic fibrosing mediastinitis' usually caused by granulomatous infections. In this expert consensus, the evidence for strategies for treatment and prevention of mediatinitis is reviewed in detail aiming at reducing the incidence and optimizing the management of this serious condition.

Impact of standardization of antimicrobial prophylaxis duration in pediatric cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES

The optimal duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis following pediatric cardiac surgery is still debated. Adult studies suggest that shorter durations are adequate, but there is a paucity of data on pediatric patients.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study reviewed the charts of patients 18 years and younger who underwent cardiac surgery from April 2011 to November 2014 at a single institution. Starting in April 2013, a protocol was implemented to limit antimicrobial prophylaxis to 48 hours following sternal closure. Two analyses were performed: (1) identification of risk factors for surgical site infections from the entire cohort, and (2) comparison of surgical site infection incidence in the pre- and postprotocol groups.

RESULTS

In the entire cohort, delayed sternal closure (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-17.9) and younger age (adjusted OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8) were associated with incidence of surgical site infection. Following the protocol change, duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis decreased from 4.2 ± 2.7 to 1.9 ± 1.3 days (P < .0001). After adjusting for age and delayed sternal closure, the postprotocol group had an adjusted OR of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.32-3.00) for occurrence of surgical site infection. Other outcomes were not altered following the protocol change.

CONCLUSIONS

Restricting antimicrobial prophylaxis to 48 hours following pediatric cardiac surgery did not increase the incidence of surgical site infection at our institution. Further study is needed to validate this finding and to identify practices that reduce surgical site infections in those with delayed sternal closure.

Deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery: Evidences and controversies

Despite many advances in prevention and perioperative care, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) remains a pressing concern in cardiac surgery, with a still relevant incidence and with a considerable impact on in-hospital mortality and also on mid- and long-term survival. The permanent high impact of this complication is partially related to the increasing proportion of patients at high-risk for infection, as well as to the many patient and surgical risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of DSWI. The prophylactic antibiotic therapy is one of the most important tools in the prevention of DSWI. However, the choice of antibiotic, the dose, the duration, the adequate levels in serum and tissue, and the timing of antimicrobial prophylaxis are still controversial. The treatment of DSWI ranges from surgical revision with primary closure to surgical revision with open dressings or closed irrigation, from reconstruction with soft tissue flaps to negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). However, to date, there have been no accepted recommendations regarding the best management of DSWI. Emerging evidence in the literature has validated the efficacy and safety of NPWT either as a single-line therapy, or as a “bridge” prior to final surgical closure. In conclusion, the careful control of patient and surgical risk factors - when possible, the proper antimicrobial prophylaxis, and the choice of validated techniques of treatment could contribute to keep DSWIs at a minimal rate.

Antibiotic prophylaxis and risk of Clostridium difficile infection after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVE

Antibiotic use, particularly type and duration, is a crucial modifiable risk factor for Clostridium difficile. Cardiac surgery is of particular interest because prophylactic antibiotics are recommended for 48 hours or less (vs ≤24 hours for noncardiac surgery), with increasing vancomycin use. We aimed to study associations between antibiotic prophylaxis (duration/vancomycin use) and C difficile among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

We extracted data on coronary artery bypass grafting procedures from the national Premier Perspective claims database (2006-2013, n = 154,200, 233 hospitals). Multilevel multivariable logistic regressions measured associations between (1) duration (<2 days, "standard" vs ≥2 days, "extended") and (2) type of antibiotic used ("cephalosporin," "cephalosporin + vancomycin," "vancomycin") and C difficile as outcome.

RESULTS

Overall C difficile prevalence was 0.21% (n = 329). Most patients (59.7%) received a cephalosporin only; in 33.1% vancomycin was added, whereas 7.2% received vancomycin only. Extended prophylaxis was used in 20.9%. In adjusted analyses, extended prophylaxis (vs standard) was associated with significantly increased C difficile risk (odds ratio, 1.43; confidence interval, 1.07-1.92), whereas no significant associations existed for vancomycin use as adjuvant or primary prophylactic compared with the use of cephalosporins (odds ratio, 1.21; confidence interval, 0.92-1.60, and odds ratio, 1.39; confidence interval, 0.94-2.05, respectively). Substantial inter-hospital variation exists in the percentage of extended antibiotic prophylaxis (interquartile range, 2.5-35.7), use of adjuvant vancomycin (interquartile range, 4.2-61.1), and vancomycin alone (interquartile range, 2.3-10.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Although extended use of antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with increased C difficile risk after coronary artery bypass grafting, vancomycin use was not. The observed hospital variation in antibiotic prophylaxis practices suggests great potential for efforts aimed at standardizing practices that subsequently could reduce C difficile risk.

Different duration strategies of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: an observational study

Background

All international guidelines recommend perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAB) should be routinely administered to patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the duration of PAB is heterogeneous and controversial.

Methods

Between 01.01.2011 and 31.12.2011, 1096 consecutive cardiac surgery patients were assigned to one of two groups receiving PAB with a second-generation cephalosporin for either 56 h (group I) or 32 h (group II). Patients’ characteristics, intraoperative data, and the in-hospital follow-up were analysed. Primary endpoint was the incidence of surgical site infection (deep and superficial sternal wound-, and vein harvesting site infection; DSWI/SSWI/VHSI). Secondary endpoints were the incidence of respiratory-, and urinary tract infection, as well as the mortality rate.

Results

615/1096 patients (56,1%) were enrolled (group I: n = 283 versus group II: n = 332). There were no significant differences with regard to patient characteristics, comorbidities, and procedure-related variables. No statistically significant differences were demonstrated concerning primary and secondary endpoints. The incidence of DSWI/SSWI/VHSI were 4/283 (1,4%), 5/283 (1,7%), and 1/283 (0,3%) in group I versus 6/332 (1,8%), 9/332 (2,7%), and 3/332 (0,9%) in group II (p = 0,76/0,59/0,63). In univariate analyses female gender, age, peripheral arterial obstructive disease, operating-time, ICU-duration, transfusion, and respiratory insufficiency were determinants for nosocomial infections (all ≤ 0,05). Subgroup analyses of these high-risk patients did not show any differences between the two regimes (all ≥ 0,05).

Conclusions

Reducing the duration of PAB from 56 h to 32 h in adult cardiac surgery patients was not associated with an increase of nosocomial infection rate, but contributes to reduce antibiotic resistance and health care costs.

Management practices and major infections after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Infections are the most common noncardiac complication after cardiac surgery, but their incidence across a broad range of operations, as well as the management factors that shape infection risk, remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to prospectively examine the frequency of post-operative infections and associated mortality, and modifiable management practices predictive of infections within 65 days from cardiac surgery.

METHODS

This study enrolled 5,158 patients and analyzed independently adjudicated infections using a competing risk model (with death as the competing event).

RESULTS

Nearly 5% of patients experienced major infections. Baseline characteristics associated with increased infection risk included chronic lung disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 2.26), heart failure (HR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.95), and longer surgery (HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.41). Practices associated with reduced infection risk included prophylaxis with second-generation cephalosporins (HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.94), whereas post-operative antibiotic duration >48 h (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.88), stress hyperglycemia (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.73); intubation time of 24 to 48 h (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.14); and ventilation >48 h (HR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.66 to 3.63) were associated with increased risk. HRs for infection were similar with either <24 h or <48 h of antibiotic prophylaxis. There was a significant but differential effect of transfusion by surgery type (excluding left ventricular assist device procedures/transplant) (HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.20). Major infections substantially increased mortality (HR: 10.02; 95% CI: 6.12 to 16.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Major infections dramatically affect survival and readmissions. Second-generation cephalosporins were strongly associated with reduced major infection risk, but optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis requires further study. Given practice variations, considerable opportunities exist for improving outcomes and preventing readmissions. (Management Practices and Risk of Infection Following Cardiac Surgery; NCT01089712).

Cardiac surgery antibiotic prophylaxis and calculated empiric antibiotic therapy

BACKGROUND

Ongoing debate exists concerning the optimal choice and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis as well as the reasonable calculated empiric antibiotic therapy for hospital-acquired infections in critically ill cardiac surgery patients.

METHODS

A nationwide questionnaire was distributed to all German heart surgery centers concerning antibiotic prophylaxis and the calculated empiric antibiotic therapy.

RESULTS

The response to the questionnaire was 87.3%. All clinics that responded use antibiotic prophylaxis, 79% perform it not longer than 24 h (single-shot: 23%; 2 doses: 29%; 3 doses: 27%; 4 doses: 13%; and >5 doses: 8%). Cephalosporin was used in 89% of clinics (46% second-generation, 43% first-generation cephalosporin). If sepsis is suspected, the following diagnostics are performed routinely: wound inspection 100%; white blood cell count 100%; radiography 99%; C-reactive protein 97%; microbiological testing of urine 91%, blood 81%, and bronchial secretion 81%; procalcitonin 74%; and echocardiography 75%. The calculated empiric antibiotic therapy (depending on the suspected focus) consists of a multidrug combination with broad-spectrum agents.

CONCLUSION

This survey shows that existing national guidelines and recommendations concerning perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis and calculated empiric antibiotic therapy are well applied in almost all German heart centers.

Implementation of bundled interventions greatly decreases deep sternal wound infection following cardiovascular surgery

OBJECTIVE

Surgical site infection (SSI), particularly deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), is a serious complication after cardiovascular surgery because of its high mortality rate. We evaluated the effectiveness of an SSI bundle to reduce DSWI and identify the risk factors for DSWI.

METHODS

During the period January 2004 to February 2012, 1374 consecutive patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery via sternotomy were included. The cohort was separated into periods from January 2004 through February 2007 (period I, 682 patients) and March 2007 through February 2012 (period II, 692 patients). During period II, all preventive measures for DSWI were completed as an SSI bundle. We compared the DSWI rate between the 2 periods. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the entire period to identify the risk factors for DSWI.

RESULTS

DSWI occurred in 13 patients (1.9%) during period I and in 1 patient (0.14%) during period II. The DSWI rate during period II was significantly decreased by 93%, compared with period I (P=.001). Independent risk factors for DSWI included obesity (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-11.75; P=.049), the use of 4 sternal wires (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 1.39-48.14; P=.020), long operative time (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.20-16.23; P=.026), and postoperative renal failure (OR, 9.0; 95% CI, 2.44-33.30; P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Complete implementation of simple multidisciplinary prevention measures as a bundle can greatly decrease the incidence of DSWI.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for cardiac surgery

Antibiotic prophylaxis for cardiac surgery is a controversial area. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have concluded that surgical site infection can be reduced by prolonging prophylaxis for 24-48 h. Also, post-operative pneumonia and all-cause mortality can be reduced by giving agents with both anti-Gram-negative and anti-Gram-positive activity. The choice of the most appropriate regimen remains open to debate.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in cardiac surgery. Current debate concerns the type of antibiotic(s), dosing and the duration of prophylaxis.

METHODS

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing one antibiotic regimen versus another in cardiac surgery. We searched The Cochrane Library, PubMed, LILACS, conference proceedings and bibliographies. Two reviewers independently extracted the data. The primary outcome was deep sternal wound infections (DSWIs). Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect method. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) are reported.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine trials were included. There were no significant differences in DSWI or all other categories of surgical site infections (SSIs) for antibiotic prophylaxis with β-lactams comprising a Gram-negative spectrum of coverage versus prophylaxis targeting Gram-positive bacteria, but the former led to a significantly lower rate of post-operative pneumonia (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.90) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.92). In trials comparing different antibiotic regimens for different durations, prophylaxis duration of ≤24 h post-operation led to higher rates of DSWI (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.25-2.66), any sternal SSI, surgical interventions for SSI and endocarditis compared with longer duration prophylaxis. There was no advantage of regimens lasting >48 h post-operation. In the comparison of glycopeptides versus β-lactams, an advantage of glycopeptides was observed when comparators were given for similar duration and for β-lactams when given for a longer duration than the glycopeptides. There was no significant advantage of high antibiotic dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence supports second- or third-generation cephalosporins for cardiac surgery prophylaxis and points at a possible advantage of prophylaxis prolongation up to 48 h post-operatively.