Predictors for infection following open-heart surgery.
A large open-heart surgery unit dealing with approximately 1000 elective patients per annum and housed in a dedicated suite, including a specialized intensive therapy unit, has provided a unique model for the study of predictors of infections and related phenomena. Over more than 10 years a series of studies has shown: the powerful effect of antibiotic usage on the colonization/infection rates with Gram-negative bacilli; the predictive relationships between preoperative chest status and the development of postoperative chest problems; an important correlation between preoperative peak urine flow rates and susceptibility to postoperative urinary tract infections; and the predictive significance of preoperative antibodies to enteric Gram-negative bacilli in relation to postoperative pyrexia and Gram-negative infection. The lessons learned from this easily studied group of patients may have important applications in other surgical settings.
Microbiology Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Freeman
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents