Background: Delayed sternal closure (DSC) has a reported incidence of 1.2%-4.2% in the adult cardiac surgical literature for indications including hemodynamic instability, marked myocardial edema, respiratory compromise, intractable bleeding, placement of assist devices, and persistent arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, survival, and morbidity of open chest management (OCM) patients who subsequently required DSC.
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