BackgroundSternal wound infection (SWI) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of cardiac surgery. Predisposing factors for SWI are multiple with varied frequencies in different studies. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of SWI after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at Tehran Heart Center.MethodsThis study prospectively evaluated multiple risk factors for SWI in 9201 patients who underwent CABG at Tehran Heart Center between January 2002 and February 2006. Cases of SWI were confirmed based on the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deep SWI (bone and mediastinitis) was categorized according to the Oakley classification.ResultsIn the study period, 9201 CABGs were performed with a total SWI rate of 0.47 percent (44 cases) and deep SWI of 0.22 percent (21 cases). Perioperative (in-hospital) mortality was 9.1% for total SWI and about 14% for deep SWI versus 1.1% for non-SWI CABG patients. Female gender, preoperative hypertension, high functional class, diabetes mellitus, obesity, prolonged intubation time (more than 48 h), and re-exploration for bleeding were significant risk factors for developing SWI (p = 0.05) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, hypertension (OR = 10.7), re-exploration (OR = 13.4), and female gender (OR = 2.7) were identified as significant predictors of SWI (p < 0.05 for all). The rate of SWI was relatively similar in 3 groups of prophylactic antibiotic regimen (Cefazolin, Cefazolin + Gentamycin and Cefazolin + Amikacin: 0.5%, 0.5%, and 0.34% respectively).ConclusionRarely reported previously, the two risk factors of hypertension and the female gender were significant risk factors in our study. Conversely, some other risk factors such as cigarette smoking and age mentioned as significant in other reports were not significant in our study. Further studies are needed for better documentation.

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After surgery, and with the inclusion of all the pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables into model two, the following were revealed to be prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality: a history of diabetes, hypertension, the presence of angina, CCS grades III or IV, EF -30%, absence of internal mammary artery (IMA) use, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, and prolonged ICU stay.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a brief psychoeducation group intervention on fear and anxiety in patients undergoing the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Sixty consecutive patients undergoing CABG for the first time were recruited for a clinical trial and randomized into two groups. The control group received routine care. The study group received a brief psychoeducation group intervention combined with routine care. The psychoeducation session consisted of a discussion of fear and anxiety in a psychotherapeutic atmosphere and relaxation techniques. Fear was scored with the Bypass Grafting Fear Scale (BGFS) and anxiety was scored with the Spielberger State Inventory (STAI) Questionnaire. The BGFS and the STAI were given to the patients the day after hospital admission and a day before the operation to measure fear and anxiety. Fear scores decreased in the psychoeducation group. Of the 29 patients treated with psychoeducation, the mean (SD) fear score decreased from 4.6 (1.7) at baseline to 2.8 (1.2) before the operation (p < .001). In the 31 patients who received routine care, there was a nonsignificant trend from 3.7 (1.9) to 4.1 (2.1) (p > .05). The mean difference in fear score before the operation was significantly lower in the psychoeducation group than the routine care group (mean difference -1.3; 95% CI, -2.1, -.2; p < .05). There were no differences in anxiety scores before the operation between the psychoeducation and routine care groups. In patients undergoing CABG, adding psychoeducation to routine care had a significant positive effect on fear but not on anxiety scores. A larger study of psychoeducation in these patients is warranted to assess the efficacy of this intervention in greater detail.

Background A wrong traditional belief persists among people that opium consumption beneficially affects cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. However, no evidence exists regarding the effect of opium consumption or cessation on the long-term risk of major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting. We therefore aimed to evaluate the effect of persistent opium consumption after surgery on the long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods The study population consisted of 28,691 patients (20,924 men, mean age 60.9 years), who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between 2007 and 2016 at our centre. The patients were stratified into three groups according to the status of opium consumption: never opium consumers ( n = 23,619), persistent postoperative opium consumers ( n = 3636) and enduring postoperative opium withdrawal ( n = 1436). Study endpoints were 5-year mortality and 5-year major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events, comprising all-cause mortality, acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular accident and revascularisation. Results After surgery, 3636 patients continued opium consumption, while 1436 patients persistently avoided opium use. The multivariable survival analysis demonstrated that persistent post-coronary artery bypass grafting opium consumption increased 5-year mortality and 5-year major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events by 28% (hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.54; P = 0.009) and 25% (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13–1.40; P < 0.0001), respectively. It also increased the 5-year risk of acute coronary syndrome by 34% (sub-distribution HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.16–1.55; P < 0.0001). Conclusions The present data suggest that persistent post-coronary artery bypass grafting opium consumption may significantly increase mortality, major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events and acute coronary syndrome in the long term. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings.