title: Mechanisms governing the effects of vacuum-assisted closure in cardiac surgery.
abstract: : Vacuum-assisted closure has been adopted as the first-line treatment for poststernotomy mediastinitis as a result of the excellent clinical outcome achieved with its use. Scientific evidence regarding the mechanisms by which vacuum-assisted closure promotes wound healing has started to emerge, although knowledge regarding the effects on heart and lung function is still limited. The organs in the mediastinum are hemodynamically crucial, and in patients with poststernotomy mediastinitis, vulnerable bypass grafts and reduced cardiac function must be taken into consideration during vacuum-assisted closure therapy. This article provides an overview of the effects of vacuum-assisted closure on heart and lung function and summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which vacuum-assisted closure therapy promotes wound healing.
authors: Lund, Sweden From the Departments of Medicine and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lund University Hospital.
authors: Malin
authors: M
authors: Malmsjö
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Ingemansson
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Sjögren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003646:Debridement; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013249:Sternum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000503:physiopathology; D014618:Vacuum; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology