Effect of subcutaneous suture line and surgical technique on wound infection after saphenectomy in coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective randomised study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of an additional subcutaneous suture line on the incidence of postoperative (p.o.) infection at the vena saphena magna harvesting site (VSMHS) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Two hundred and forty three patients undergoing CABG were included. Patients in Group A (n = 119) all operated by one physical assistant (PA) were prospectively randomised into Group A1 (n = 59) receiving intracutaneous closure suture alone whereas 60 patients (Group A2) received an additional subcutaneous suture line. Group B (n = 120), operated by surgical residents, served as control population. All patients were due to follow-up at six weeks p.o. RESULTS: Subcutaneous suture did not impact the p.o. infection rate (A2 vs. A1; 4/60 vs. 2/59, n.s.). A significant lower p.o. infection rate was observed in Group A vs. Group B (6/119 (5%) vs. 15/120 (13%) p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous suture did not impact the p.o. infection rate at VSMHS. The infection rate observed in patients operated by an experienced PA was significantly lower than in patients operated by various surgical residents.     

Secondary surgical-site infection after coronary artery bypass grafting: A multi-institutional prospective cohort study

Objective

To analyze patient risk factors and processes of care associated with secondary surgical-site infection (SSI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Autologous platelet gel in coronary artery bypass grafting: effects on surgical wound healing

Stimulating the body's natural healing at the cellular level can be achieved through the application of growth factors located within platelets. Once combined with a mixture of calcium and thrombin, this substance, now referred to as autologous platelet gel (APG), can be applied to surgical wound sites for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of APG on surgical site infection, post-operative pain, blood loss, and bruising. After 30 mL platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was processed, 10 mL PRP was distributed on the sternum after re-approximation and 7 mL PRP before skin closure. Ten milliliters PRP was used on the endoscopic leg harvest (EVH) site. The remaining 3 mL was sent to the laboratory for hematologic testing. Both the control (CTR) and treatment (TRT) groups were well matched, with the exception of ejection fraction and pre-operative platelet count, which was significantly higher in the TRT group. Average platelet count yield was 4.2 +/- 0.5 x 103/mcL, white blood count (WBC) yielded 1.9 +/- 0.7 x 103/mcL, and fibrinogen yielded 1.2 +/- 0.2 mg/dL above baseline. There were no deep or superficial sternal infections. However, one patient from each group did experience a leg infection at the EVH site, which occurred after hospital discharge. More patients in the TRT group experienced less pain on postoperative day (POD) 1 and at the post-operative office follow-up. Blood loss and bruising was less in the TRT group on POD 2; however, there was no statistical significance. The application of APG seems to confer beneficial effects on pain, blood loss, and bruising. However, further studies with a greater sample size are needed to power significant differences.     

Saphenous vein endothelial cell viability: a comparative study of endoscopic and open saphenectomy for coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The use of endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting (ESVH) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is growing. This study was done to investigate the extent of endothelial injury in ESVH compared with that of the standard open method (OSVH), and under various physical and chemical preservation factors. METHODS: We endoscopically removed the saphenous vein from 45 consecutive patients undergoing saphenectomy for CABG together with a segment retrieved by the no-touch OSVH method. Vein samples from each group were divided into 8 subgroups of 5 samples each, and incubated in Plasma-Lyte solution with or without papaverine, at distending pressures of 100 or 300 mm Hg, and at either 4 degrees C or 28 degrees C, respectively. A ninth subgroup was preserved at room temperature without pressure or papaverine. The viability of cultured saphenous vein endothelial cells was assessed by counting the number of total cells and deriving the proportion of viable cells, following incubation for 72 hours. RESULTS: The median proportion of viable cells (PVC) showed a slight decline over days 0 to 4 for both harvesting methods. No significant difference existed in the median PVC between the two techniques (day 0: 75%, 72%, P = 0.8; day 1: 66.7%, 66.7%, P = 0.9; day 2: 66.7%, 66.7%, P = 0.3; day 3: 65.3%, 66.7%, P = 0.16, respectively). The mean PVC compared across temperatures of 4 degrees C, 28 degrees C, and room temperature for the ESVH was highly significant, with the highest value being for room temperature (69.5%, 56.4%, 70.3%, respectively, P = 0.0003). Results for the OSVH were not significant. The effect of distension pressure did not vary significantly for 0, 100, and 300 mm Hg for both techniques (70.3%, 63.2% and 63.4%, respectively, P = 0.46 for the ESVH; 66.5%, 68.4%, 67.4%, respectively, P = 0.94 for the OSVH). The addition of papaverine improved PCV slightly for the OSVH only (61.7%, 64.3%, respectively, P = 0.02), whereas that for the ESVH was not significant (67.3%, 72.5%, P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: The effect of ESVH on endothelial cell viability is comparable to that of the OSVH. Among the factors influencing endothelial viability during vein preparation, temperature had a major effect with lower temperatures in the range of 4 degrees C to room temperature being the most favorable one. Mechanical distension and papaverine had unimportant or inconsistent roles. We recommend the ESVH as the procedure of choice for saphenous vein harvesting due to the lower postoperative morbidity, and the lower incubation temperature needed for its better influence on potential graft patency.     

冠状动脉旁路移植术后手术部位感染风险预测模型及管理策略

目的:探讨影响冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)后手术部位感染的主要危险因素,并构建定量列线图风险预测模型,提出针对性管理策略。方法:回顾性总结2015年5月至2019年5月于南京医科大学附属盐城市第三人民医院接受CABG患者共302例作为模型组,比较感染与未感染者临床资料(主要包括性别、年龄、基础疾病史、体质指数、美国麻醉师协会(ASA)评分、常规皮肤准备、围术期抗菌药物不合理使用、手术时间>4 h、手术室探视和连续使用同一手术室),再经多因素Logistic回归分析筛选主要危险因素并构建列线图风险预测模型。纳入2019年6月至2020年12月共211例CABG患者作为验证组,接受感染管理策略。采用受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析列线图模型评估模型组与验证组感染发生的效能。结果:模型组共诊断11例患者发生感染(3.64%,11/302),单因素分析显示感染者年龄高于未感染者,且感染者基础疾病史(高血压和糖尿病)和肥胖者比例增高,ASA评分升高,常规皮肤准备方法、围术期抗菌药物不合理使用、手术时间>4 h、手术室探视、连续使用同一手术室比例均较未感染者增高(P均<0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,高龄(OR=1.58、95%CI:1.12~2.53、P=0.011)、基础疾病史(OR=2.63、95%CI:2.12~3.06、P=0.001)、围术期抗菌药物不合理使用(OR=2.01、95%CI:1.55~2.69、P=0.002)、手术时间>4 h(OR=3.11、95%CI:2.68~3.59、P=0.001)和手术室探视(OR=1.24、95%CI:1.01~1.85、P=0.024)均为CABG术后手术部位感染的主要危险因素。应用R软件根据主要危险因素(高龄、基础疾病、抗菌药物不合理使用、手术时间>4 h、手术室探视)的权重(β值)进行定量赋值建立列线图模型。验证组共诊断感染者2例(0.95%,2/211),显著低于模型组(Fisher’s确切概率法,取单侧P=0.047)。ROC分析显示,列线图模型预测模型组和验证组发生感染的准确性分别为0.895和0.864;Hosmer-Lemeshow检验显示拟合度良好。结论:CABG术后手术部位感染的发生与多个临床因素有关,如高龄、基础疾病史、围术期抗菌药物不合理使用、手术时间>4 h和手术室探视,医护人员应充分认知并采取严格的感染管理措施以减少感染的发生。     

Endoscopic vs open saphenous vein harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting (EVH) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been developed to reduce leg wound morbidity and improve patient satisfaction. Choosing between EVH of a short vein segment from the thigh and open venous harvesting (OVH) of a short segment from the calf represents a clinical dilemma as EVH is easiest to perform from the thigh and OVH is easiest to perform from the calf. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether leg wound morbidity was reduced after EVH of a short vein segment from the thigh compared with OVH from the calf. Secondly we investigated whether EVH would reduce length of hospital stay and improve cosmetic results. METHODS: From April 2004 to June 2007, 132 patients undergoing elective isolated CABG were randomized to have a short segment of saphenous vein harvested either by the EVH or OVH technique. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at day 5 and at 1 month. Primary end-points included wound morbidity. Secondary end-points included harvest time, length of hospital stay, cosmetic results and need for additional wound care after discharge. RESULTS: The groups were preoperative similar. Three patients in the OVH group were excluded from the study as it became apparent that it was necessary to extend the incision beyond the knee. Harvest time was longer for the EVH group, but these patients suffered from significantly fewer cases of infectious and non-infective wound complications, with a substantial reduction in the need for post-discharge leg wound care. The purulent infection rates in the EVH and OVH groups were 0% and 11%, respectively. The overall leg wound morbidity rates regarding cellulitis, purulent infection, dehiscence and skin necrosis were 3% and 27% in the EVH and OVH groups, respectively (p<0.001). The length of hospital stay was similar. The conversion rate from EVH to OVH was 14%. The EVH group experienced less pain and better cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: EVH of a short vein segment from the thigh results in less wound morbidity and better cosmetic results compared with OVH of a short vein segment from the calf.     

Effect of aspirin in coronary artery bypass grafting

To evaluate the effect of aspirin (ASA) therapy on postoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, reoperation for bleeding, duration of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital in a selected population undergoing a first coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Prospective observational study in consecutive patients during a 3-month period. A teaching cardiothoracic center. Two hundred forty consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for the first time. Two hundred forty consecutive patients admitted for a first CABG the day before surgery were visited. Patients with an abnormal routine coagulation screen or taking drugs that might have affected their coagulation mechanisms were prospectively excluded (n = 96). The date of the last dose of ASA was recorded in the 144 remaining patients, and data were acquired prospectively. Total mediastinal blood drainage, blood products usage, reopening, and duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay were recorded. Patients were grouped by days free of ASA. There were no significant differences detected between groups. In patients undergoing a first CABG and with no known factors affecting their coagulation, ASA therapy did not appear to increase blood loss, reopening for bleeding, or blood products usage requirements during the hospital stay. ASA therapy did not influence the duration of stay in intensive care or in the hospital.     

Pulmonary outcomes of off-pump vs on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective randomised controlled study

Background

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery performed on Cardio- Pulmonary Bypass (CPB) may cause pulmonary dysfunction. Off Pump CABG (OPCAB) requires more expertise, but is presumed to reduce pulmonary morbidity as it alleviates the ill effects of CPB. Various studies have conflicting reports of pulmonary dysfunction with both techniques.

Methods

A single blind, prospective, randomised controlled study to detect differences in early pulmonary outcomes measured by pre-operative and post-operative pulmonary function tests in On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (ONCAB) vs OPCAB surgery for triple vessel disease. Patients with preoperative pulmonary dysfunction were excluded.

Results

The preoperative Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) parameters in both groups were statistically similar. Postoperative PFT in both groups (ONCAB vs OPCAB) showed reduction although statistically insignificant [FVC-58.7+/?17.5 vs 58.1+/?18.9, p?=?0.87; FEV1- 61.7+/?16.9 vs 60.28+/? 18.3, p?=?0.74; FEV1/FVC- 110+/?13.7 vs 107.4+/?11.79, p?=?0.31; PEF- 76.5+/?26.4 vs 61.8+/?22.2, p?=?0.07; F.MEP- 87.31+/?44.3 vs 74.1+/?29.2, p?=?0.28]. There was no clinical impairment in either group and ventilatory requirements were similar (13.9+/?2.6 vs 14.9+/?3.1 h; p?=?0.3).

Conclusions

Early pulmonary outcome is similar for patients without preexisting pulmonary dysfunction and undergoing elective multivessel revascularisation by ONCAB or OPCAB surgery. The hospital stay and ventilatory time were similar in both groups.     

Favourable long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting in a nationwide cohort

Objectives. In a nationwide cohort, we analyzed long-term outcome following coronary artery bypass grafting, using the combined strategy of left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery and saphenous vein as secondary graft to other coronary targets. Methods. 1,507 consecutive patients that underwent myocardial revascularization during 2001–2012 in Iceland. Mean follow-up was 6.8 years. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were depicted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox-regression was used to define risk factors. Relative survival was estimated by comparing overall survival to the survival of Icelanders of the same age and gender. Results. Mean age was 66 years, 83% were males, mean EuroSCOREst was 4.5, and 23% of the procedures were performed off-pump. At 5 years, 19.7% had suffered a major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event, 4.5% a stroke, 2.2% myocardial infarction, and 6.2% needed repeat revascularization. Overall 5-year survival was 89.9%, with a relative survival of 0.990. Independent predictors of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were left ventricular ejection fraction ≤30%, a previous history of percutaneous coronary intervention, chronic obstructive lung disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and old age. The same variables and an earlier year of operation were predictors of long-term mortality. Conclusions. The long-term outcome following myocardial revascularization, using the left internal mammary artery and the great saphenous vein as conduits, is favourable and improving. This is reflected by the 5-year survival of 89.9%, deviating minimally from the survival rate of the general Icelandic population, together with a freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events of 80.3%.     

Surgical site wound infection,and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting. A systematic literature search up to April 2022 was performed and 37 444 subjects with coronary artery bypass grafting at the baseline of the studies; 4320 of them were with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 33 124 were without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Odds ratio (OR), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting using the dichotomous, and contentious methods with a random or fixed-effect model. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60, P = 0.04), respiratory failure (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.55-2.18, P < 0.001), mortality (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.37-1.89, P < 0.001), pneumonia (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.97-2.68, P < 0.001), pleural effusion (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.12-2.83, P = 0.02), stroke (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.17-3.36, P = 0.01), and length of intensive care unit stay (MD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.19-1.26, P = 0.008) after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects did not show any significant difference in length of hospital stay (MD, 0.83; 95% CI, −0.01 to 1.67, P = 0.05), and pneumothorax (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.98-2.59, P = 0.06) after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection, respiratory failure, mortality, pneumonia, pleural effusion, stroke, and length of intensive care unit stay, and no significant difference in length of hospital stay, and pneumothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of 1 out of 11 studies in the meta-analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.     

The back-approach technique of endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting

PurposeOne of the concerns during endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting (EVH) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is injury to the vein or its branches. The cutting edge of bipolar electrocautery scissors, used to divide the side branches of the saphenous vein, can cause vascular injury leading to reduced graft patency. We have developed a novel back-approach technique using a C-ring to divide the wide side branches of the saphenous vein during EVH. The aim of the study was to describe the technique and assess early outcomes of EVH using this technique. The back-approach technique is as follows: (a) insert the C-ring near the target branch, (b) push the C-ring over the proximal aspect of the target branch, (c) twist the C-ring forward to capture the target branch, and (d) cut the target branch by bipolar electrocautery.MethodsWe investigated 169 patients, including 35 women (mean age 70.1 ± 8.9 years), who underwent CABG at our hospital, using a novel EVH technique. The patients were categorized as those who underwent EVH (EVH group, n = 44) or open vein harvesting (OVH) (OVH group, n = 125). This method involves the creation of a small incision (2 cm), sufficient saphenous vein dissection near the skin incision, adequate dissection to separate the vein from the surrounding tissues, and the back-approach technique with C-ring to divide the side branch of the saphenous vein. The primary endpoint was the graft patency rate, and the secondary endpoints were leg wound complications and length of hospitalization.ResultsNo significant intergroup difference was observed in early patency of saphenous vein graft patency (OVH vs. EVH = 94.7 vs. 95.6%, p = 0.763). The incidence of lower extremity wound lymphorrhea was significantly lesser (OVH: EVH = 16.0: 0.0%, p = 0.005) and the length of hospitalization was also significantly shorter in the EVH group (OVH vs. EVH = 24.2 ± 9.8 vs. 19.0 ± 5.3 days, p = 0.001).ConclusionsEVH, using the back-approach technique, showed satisfactory short-term results; therefore, this technique performed with C-ring might be effective for vein harvesting during EVH.     

Neurocognitive deficit following coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective study of surgical patients and nonsurgical controls

Background

To objectively measure long-term neurocognitive deficit in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and compare the findings with nonsurgical controls.

Methods

We prospectively measured neurocognitive function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 104; mean age 64.1 years old; EuroSCORE 2.7 [means]). A cohort of age- and sex-matched patients (n = 80; mean age 63.4 years old) served as nonsurgical controls. After CABG, neurocognitive function was serially reevaluated at 7-day (n = 104), 4-month (n = 100), and 3-year follow-up (n = 88). Neurocognitive function was objectively measured by means of cognitive P300 evoked potentials. Additionally, standard psychometric tests were performed (Trailmaking Test A, Mini Mental State Examination).

Results

As compared to preoperative measures (364 ± 36 ms), cognitive P300 evoked potentials were prolonged (=impaired) at 7-day (381 ± 36 ms; p = 0.001), 4-month (378 ± 31 ms; p = 0.08), and 3-year follow-up (379 ± 35 ms; p = 0.002), respectively. Trailmaking Test A was abnormal, as compared to preoperative, at 3-year follow-up (p < 0.001). Before the operation, surgical patients were fully comparable in P300 measures to nonsurgical controls (363 ± 32 ms; p = 0.362). Most importantly, throughout the entire postoperative follow-up cognitive measures in surgical patients were prolonged (=impaired) as compared with controls (7-day p = 0.001; 4-month p = 0.002 and 3-year p = 0.003, respectively). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, neurocognitive deficit at 4-month follow-up (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.012), and persistent atrial fibrillation (p = 0.024) were predictive for long-term neurocognitive deficit at 3-year follow-up.

Conclusions

As shown by means of objective measures, and in comparison to nonsurgical controls, coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass grafting causes long-term neurocognitive deficit.     

Postoperative delirium and health related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting

Objectives. We wanted to identify determinants for postoperative delirium and its influence on health related quality of life (HRQoL) during 36-month follow-up of coronary artery bypass (CABG) patients. Design. A total of 302 patients were retrospectively analyzed. HRQoL was assessed prospectively by the15D instrument. Delirium was diagnosed clinically. Results. The incidence of delirium was 6.0%. The cumulative survival (all-cause death) in 36 months was 96.1% in patients without delirium and 77.8% in patients with delirium. Age, cerebral disease, chronic heart failure, male gender, postoperative pneumonia and low output syndrome were predictors for delirium. Delirium patients needed more resources i.e. intensive care or total duration of hospitalization and experienced no positive change in HRQoL. Moreover patients with high preoperative 15D score tended to suffer fairly severe but reversible impairment during the first 6 months after the operation. Conclusions. Preoperatively older and sicker patients with complicated postoperative course are at higher risk of developing delirium after CABG. Preoperative status and operative complications together with delirium may exert negative influence on forthcoming HRQoL, which is seen especially in patients with a relatively high preoperative level of HRQoL.     

Surgical site wound infection,and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta‐analysis

We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting. A systematic literature search up to April 2022 was performed and 37 444 subjects with coronary artery bypass grafting at the baseline of the studies; 4320 of them were with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 33 124 were without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Odds ratio (OR), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on surgical site wound infection, and other postoperative problems after coronary artery bypass grafting using the dichotomous, and contentious methods with a random or fixed‐effect model. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.60, P = 0.04), respiratory failure (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.55‐2.18, P < 0.001), mortality (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.37‐1.89, P < 0.001), pneumonia (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.97‐2.68, P < 0.001), pleural effusion (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.12‐2.83, P = 0.02), stroke (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.17‐3.36, P = 0.01), and length of intensive care unit stay (MD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.19‐1.26, P = 0.008) after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects did not show any significant difference in length of hospital stay (MD, 0.83; 95% CI, −0.01 to 1.67, P = 0.05), and pneumothorax (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.98‐2.59, P = 0.06) after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection, respiratory failure, mortality, pneumonia, pleural effusion, stroke, and length of intensive care unit stay, and no significant difference in length of hospital stay, and pneumothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of 1 out of 11 studies in the meta‐analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.     

Effects of amiodarone and thoracic epidural analgesia on atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the effects of a perioperative dosing regimen of amiodarone administration, high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), or a combination of the 2 regimens on atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was prospective, controlled, and randomized and was performed in a tertiary health care center associated with a university. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-three patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. INTERVENTIONS: In this 2 x 2 factorial-designed study the patients were randomized to 1 of 4 regimens in which group E had perioperative TEA, group E+A had TEA and amiodarone, group A had amiodarone, and group C served as control. The epidural catheter was inserted at T1-3 the day before surgery. TEA groups received TEA for 96 hours. The amiodarone regimen consisted of a single loading dose of 1,800 mg of amiodarone orally. Intravenous infusion of amiodarone was started after induction of anesthesia and was administered at 900 mg over 24 hours for the subsequent 3 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: AF was documented using Holter monitoring. In group E 22 of 44 (50%), in group E+A 10 of 35 (28.6%), in group A 10 of 36 (27.8%), and in the control group 20 of 48 (41.7%) patients developed AF (odds ratio amiodarone/nonamiodarone 0.47 [0.24-0.90]; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The perioperative amiodarone regimen used in this study was effective in reducing the incidence of AF after CABG while TEA was not.     

Peak urine flow as a predictor of urine infection and retention after coronary artery bypass grafting

Summary Peak urine flow rates were measured in 83 men before coronary artery bypass grafting. The patients were grouped according to the method of Drach et al. [1] into those with normal, equivocal or abnormal flow rates. No cases of urine infection occurred in any of the 3 groups and only 2 patients in the group with abnormal peak flow developed urine retention. This was not statistically significant. Peak urine flow did not appear to be useful in predicting urine retention after coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Negative-pressure sternal wound closure with interrupted subcuticular suturing and a subcutaneous drain tube reduces the incidence of poststernotomy wound infection after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

To retrospectively evaluate the effect of negative-pressure sternal wound closure (NPSWC) with a subcutaneous closed drain tube on the sternal surgical site infection (SSI) incidence. After propensity score matching of 231 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), we compared 104 pairs in the NPSWC and historical control groups. In the molecular analysis, the interleukin-6 (IL-6), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) levels in the wound fluid were measured using two different reservoir types at postoperative days 2 and 7. NPSWC significantly reduced the SSI incidence from 10.6 to 2.9%. No mediastinitis occurred in the NPSWC group. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified female sex (p = 0.0040) and no NPSWC (p = 0.0084) as significant risk factors for sternal SSI development. The Negative-pressure value was 49.4 ± 4.1 and 115.5 ± 15.2 mmHg in the standard-type (SSR) and bulb-type suction reservoirs (BSR), respectively. Given that growth factors were affected by the difference in negative pressure, the IL-6, b-FGF, and TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in the BSR than in the SSR. NPSWC using a subcutaneous closed drain tube was effective in preventing sternal SSI after CABG and may accelerate wound healing even when both internal thoracic arteries are harvested. University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, registration number: UMIN000037060.     

Leg wound infection after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis comparing minimally invasive versus conventional vein harvesting

The great saphenous vein remains the most commonly harvested conduit for revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our aim is to compare minimally invasive vein harvest techniques to conventional vein harvest with regards to leg wound infection rates. A meta-analysis of identified randomized controlled trials, reporting a comparison between the two techniques published between 1965 and 2002, was undertaken. The outcome of interest was leg wound infection. Fourteen randomized studies were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Our study revealed that wound infection was significantly lower in the minimally invasive vein harvest group (odds ratio 0.22 with 95% confidence intervals of 0.14 to 0.34). Our study suggests that using minimally invasive techniques might reduce leg wound infection rate following great saphenous vein harvesting for CABG. Further research is required to evaluate the potential benefits of minimally invasive vein harvesting techniques on the cost of postoperative care and quality of the harvested vein.     

Daptomycin for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis saphenectomy wound infection after coronary artery bypass graft operation (CABG): a case report

We report a case of successful treatment of postoperative saphenectomy wound infection of the upper left leg with the antibiotic drug Daptomycin.