Postoperative mediastinitis in cardiovascular surgery postoperation. Analysis of 1038 consecutive surgeries.
OBJECTIVE
To report the incidence of mediastinitis in cardiovascular surgery postoperation.


METHODS
The records of all 1038 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgical procedures between May/2007 and June/2009 were reviewed. All operations were performed in Division of Cardiovascular Surgery of Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco - PROCAPE.


RESULTS
The complication occurred within, on average, 13 days after operation, in total of 25 (2.4%), eight (32%) deaths occurred. Several risk factors mediastinitis were identified: 56% diabetes, 56% smokers, 20% obeses, 16% with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 8% of chronic renal failure. Mediastinitis were reported in 21 (84%) cases of patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting, being associated to major risk of infection development (IC 3.448.30, P=0.0001). High rates of complications were observed: respiratory insufficiency (44%), stroke (16%), cardiogenic shock (12%), acute renal failure (28%), pulmonary infection (36%), multiple organs failure (16%) and esternal deiscence (48%). Bacterial cultures of exudates were positive in 84% of patients; Staphylococcus aureus was the most responsible pathogen (28.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Mediastinitis stays a serious surgical complication and difficult management in cardiovascular surgery postoperation. The disease stays with low incidence, but still with high lethality. Coronary bypass was associated to major risk of infection development.
Sá
Michel Pompeu Barros de Oliveira
MP
Division of Cardiovascular Surgery- HUOC/PROCAPE Hospital Complex - Recife, PE, Brazil. michel_pompeu@yahoo.com.br
Silva
Débora Oliveira
DO
Lima
Erika Nibbering de Souza
EN
Lima
Ricardo de Carvalho
Rde C
Silva
Frederico Pires Vasconcelos
FP
Rueda
Fábio Gonçalves de
FG
Escobar
Rodrigo Renda de
RR
Cavalcanti
Paulo Ernando Ferraz
PE
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016896:Treatment Outcome